Name: Lost and Found
Brand: Sony Music Entertainment***
SKU: 26709
Availability: OutOfStock

Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Deitrick Haddon (vocals, beatbox); Jimmie Lee Laster, Zina Kirksey (spoken vocals); Cordell Walton, Shaun Carrington (various instruments); Dsabata Robinson (guitar); Gerald Haddon (piano); Steven Howell (organ); Andre Smith (bass); David Haddon, Myron Bell (drums); Damita Haddon, Tiffany Smith, Margertite Foster, Rochelle Bates, Marguerita Bass (background vocals).
LOST AND FOUND was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
Personnel: Deitrick Haddon (strings, drum programming, background vocals); Tiffany Smith (vocals); DeSabata Robinson, Shawn Carrington (guitar); Cordell Walton (strings, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, synthesizer); Steve Howell (organ); Gerald Haddon (talk box); David Haddon, Myron Bell (drums); Damita Haddon, Marguerita Bass, Tina L. Smith, Marguerite Foster, Voices of Unity (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Steve Capp; Todd Fairall.
Recording information: Climax Studios, Southfield, MI; Riverstone Studios, Southfield, MI; Studio A, Dearborn Heights, Mik; The Track Cave, Southfield, MI.
Photographer: Ernest Washington.
Arranger: Shawn Carrington.
Ignore the silly "Mr. D.J." intro and you'll discover that Haddon is a bright new presence in the realm of hip-hop gospel who seeks to blend old-school musical values with funky modern production. The thumping grooves and smooth backing vocals behind Haddon's passionate pleas on "D.D." summarize the overall vibe here. Secular audiences can enjoy the beats and his rangy, soulful voice, but he's definitely Christ-centered in his themes. He's not always overly preachy. On the dreamy light funk ballad "Ain't Got Nothing," he's a little more general in his spiritual message, simply explaining that material gain without true love is meaningless. The trip-hoppy atmospheres on "Sinner's Prayer" bring a bit of Lenny Kravitz (minus the electric guitar crunch) to mind, while "My Prayer" would feel even more comfortable on an old Philly soul album. The most attractive songs here are the ambient-heavy ones, but there are a few hardcore gospel stompers too, most notably the Ricky Martin-flavored, Latin-inflected "The Prayers Go (Up Up Up)." Another highlight is a simply produced "Worship Medley," which functions here as a hymn-anthem in between the more produced, commercial material. It's hard to predict whether Haddon will enjoy the big-time crossover success of a Kirk Franklin, but if not, it's not for lack of talent and spiritual commitment. ~ Jonathan Widran