It was a chilly night, but that did not stop fans of Travis Malloy from attending his listening party for his upcoming release, “The Manifestation.” The event took place at Impact One Church in Capitol Heights, MD. It was the last leg of a three-city tour where Malloy rolled out songs from his new album set to be released Friday, December 1.
The night kicked off with a Q&A by Radio One’s Samuel Tatum. It was a playful time when Tatum quizzed the Grammy-nominated Malloy on his favorite artists. During that discussion, Malloy also shared some fascinating history and anecdotes about the artists that were being compared. Tatum referred to Malloy as a networker who used that gifting to propel him to success as a singer, producer, and entrepreneur with his MBT (Millions Billions Trillions) clothing line.
Now, let’s get into the main event. The listening party to put it in Malloy’s own words was “a vibe.” Things kicked off with “So Good,” a song Malloy wrote twenty years ago when he was a teenager and features Jonathan Dunn. That was followed by “Good to Me,” featuring the DMV‘s own Y’Anna Crawley. The song pulsated with an electrifying energy. Many in the audience said they could see themselves in their car jamming to the song. Malloy himself said he wanted this song and others on the album to have a “cookout feel” as well as a throwback nineties feel. Malloy says that as a producer, he wants the music to breathe as well as highlight the vocals. Mission accomplished.
“Better Days” is a great exhortation of what is to come. The exquisite melodies adorn this piece with beauty. One could imagine themselves on a Sunday morning or at any time listening to this song and being reminded that, yes, better days are coming. A nice touch to the song at the was an exhortation by the late Rev Ike. According to Travis Malloy, he included that excerpt to encourage listeners because the words aligned with the message of “The Manifestation.”
The song “Without You” features Lisa Knowles Smith and drives home the necessity to rely on God. “Work in Your Favor” includes contributions from gospel powerhouses Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. The vocal dynamics in the song are powerful. As the song neared its end, Malloy was joined by Charles Butler, Tia Askia, and Joshua Copeland, which led to an extended worship experience. Appearing to sense the palpable shift in the room, Pastor Juan Wilder gave a testimony of how God worked things out for his son when his son was diagnosed with an illness at an early age. He exhorted Malloy to “keep going!”
The title cut, “The Manifestation,” was the final song of the night. Malloy described the song as “churchy.” Korey Mickie, Charles Butler & Trinity, Lillian Lloyd, and Dr. Kevin Bond help infuse the churchy-fied richness of this offering. True to his word, “The Manifestation” was a certified hand-clapper that drove everyone to their feet.
As the night concluded, Travis Malloy thanked everyone for their support. He singled out Charles Butler as someone who has been a consistent friend, supporter, and encourager.
The listening party was a soul-stirring experience, resonating with the spirit of gospel music. It had a healthy mix of listening, Malloy singing, and hearing the backstory on the genesis of the songs. The album’s powerful lyrics and uplifting melodies created an atmosphere that was both celebratory and worshipful.
Adding this album to your library is not just acquiring new music but going on a journey into the heart of gospel music excellence. “The Manifestation” is a testament to Travis Malloy’s dedication to delivering a collection of songs that inspires and connects listeners to the manifest nature of the gospel.
“The Manifestation” will be released on December 1 and available on all digital outlets. The album was charting No. 1 on iTunes for gospel. Pre-sale on iTunes is encouraged.
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