Josh Defends Funky Style

Pastor Josh Laryea, the hot gospel singer noted for his ground shaking typical Ga 'jama' rhythms, has challenged critics who describe his songs as too hot for gospel music, to take a closer look at what the Bible says about the best way to praise God. The youthful pastor/singer has just rolled out another album, containing a song, "Praise Da Lord", that some gospel lovers claim is too funky to have come from a man of God. For the past couple of weeks, panelists and listeners of television and radio shows have expressed varying views about the "controversial" song, with some describing the beats as only fit for the night-clubs. In a chat with The Mirror, Pastor Laryea said, "If the youth decide to hang-out in the night-clubs, I will also continue to knock on their doors with their kind of music. I will always ensure that I make the word of God attractive to them". "The Bible says, let everything that has breath praise the Lord, so why shouldn't I encourage the youth to also praise God?," Josh Laryea queried. Indeed, he said, his new album titled "Emere" has songs for all manner of persons and "it is an album for all seasons, so people should grab copies and get the good messages loaded in it". Four years ago Pastor Josh Laryea dropped a hot song, ‘Ngboo’, which his critics again labeled too ‘jamming’ for God. Pastor Laryea assembled some of the best professionals in the music industry to produce "Emere" (Time), which he described as his "dream come true". Some of the celebrated personalities who worked with him on the album were Gideon of Alabaster Box fame, lead guitarist, Ackah Blay and award-winning recording engineer, Apietus (In Da Mix). Others are Ghana Music Awards Recording Engineer of The Year 2008, Nacy, Shadrach Yawson (Shaa), fine vocalist, SHE and flutist, Dela. The voices of the Central University College Choir also featured prominently in the new work. Leading the 10 songs on the album is “Days of Elijah” written by Paul Wilbur, rearranged by Pastor Josh and recorded live in a mid-tempo mode with solid instrumentation. The title-track, “Emere” is next. It is presented in a warm highlife vein. ‘Bisa,’ ‘I’ll Do The Same’ and ‘Grateful’ follow, flying on the wings on some body-rocking rhythms. Then comes the CONTROVERSIAL song, ‘Praise da Lord’. For the hot video that accompanies this song, one needs to watch it to see the source of the controversy. The title track, "Emere" also comes with a well-shot video produced by award-winning directors, The Phamous People. Other songs on the album include 'Wait,' 'You Deserve The Glory’, which is a solemn praise song; 'I Believe,' and 'Peace,' whose lyrics are ideal for this election season when tension is mounting in some parts of the country. Reggae lovers will love the last two songs, which fly on the wings of some heavy reggae drum beats and horns. After 16 years in the music industry, Josh Laryea says his current release, which is his seventh album, has brought him to the high level that he had always eyed. "However it is just the beginning," he pointed out. He thanked God for his guidance; his father Mr. Jonathan Aryee Laryea, for raising him up in the fear of God, which he said is his greatest asset. He was also full of praise for Dr Mensa Otabil, the Founder of the International Central Gospel Church, whom he described as his spiritual father and mentor. He dedicated the album to his late mother, Madam Patricia Tsuishitoo Kudzi Laryea. Josh is married to pretty Vivian with whom he has four lovely children - Kirk, Josh, Kelly and Trudy. The album hits the market on Saturday, November 1, 2008 and is expected to generate a lot more attention.