Best known for his 5-year stint as lead vocalist of A Cappella, Wayburn Dean's "Immeasurable" is his second solo offering, an album with a heart and plenty of soul.
Dean wrote or co-wrote six of the 11 strong songs of “Immeasurable,” offering up a mix of silky mid-tempo pop tracks that go down easy and a few moving ballads (the quietly worshipful “Crucified,” thick with strings, and the smooth “Anymore”) that highlight his fluid tenor. He stirs things up a bit with the techno dance track “Through You” and “Each Day of My Life” offers up some tasty guitar treats, with a side of funk, as well as giving his soulful vocals room to soar. But for the most part Dean focuses on God-centered pop on the mellow side. “Needed” is old-school R&B groove, smooth as silk, and nobody is smoother than Dean. The mellow “It’s Gonna Take Time” encourages us to remember to give God time to work. “Who Cries” is a moving ode to God’s faithfulness, and His willingness to share our sorrows and pain.
But I enjoyed Dean best when he cut loose with the upbeat “Glorified,” full of infectious funk and bouncy bass lines, and I wish he would have done more of this on “Immeasurable.” The album closes out with a majestic “String Outro,” very nicely done. Wayburn Dean definitely has the goods, but I’d love to see him cut ‘em loose a bit more. You can’t fault him on his intention though; “Immeasurable” is wonderfully God-focused and the perfect album for mellow soulful worship, from 3 Fold Records.
Be on the lookout for Suite’s upcoming review of Wayburn Dean’s Christmas project, “Peace Child.” And if you like mellow worship, you may enjoy Arthur Alligood’s “Under the Gray,” although it is a very different genre. Kevin Vasser’s “So Glad” may be of interest to you as well, more along the lines of soulful pop.
