Forget that Ken Metcalf was the keyboard player for Stryper on their first two tours. And don't you dare remember that Robert Sweet played drums on several of the tracks on this CD. Otherwise you will be utterly shocked when you hear a mix of jazz, blues, light rock and funk that's all over this release. It doesn't sound like Stryper, and it's not hard rock. But it is good!

This is not a CD I would normally would have gone out and bought, but I really do enjoy it. It's quality and musicianship shines through each song, and it turned me on to a different form of music I never have listened to in the past.

The disc starts off with "The Best Of Me", a upbeat blues song that really showcases Ken's voice and the quality of the players. "Destiny" is the rocker of the bunch, but more comparable to old Bryan Adams than Stryper. The lyrics are very simple, but can easily be related to. The light jazz of "Anytime" has a lounge vibe to it, with Ken softly singing the words over a flowing groove. The jungle sound effects on "You Play My Heart" had me smiling, but I don't think that's the reaction they were going for with the seriousness of the lyrics. The Queen type of harmonies on "Broken" had me wanting more! A great song with awesome lyrics. "It's You (Evie)", has a good piano riff that carries the song well. I'm amazed at how each song is so different from the one before it, each one seem to use different instruments and styles. Sounds like a organ on "You Gave Me You", which is a nice solid love ballad. I love the lyrics on "It Could Be Worse", which in the vein of pop rock. My only complaint would be that it was too short. "There's A River" is another blues type tune, that was recorded live. Great use of the harmonica, and the sound of the small crowd helps give more energy to the song. Another song dedicated to his wife, "When I'm With You (Evie)" is a mellow tune that had the misfortune of following a live track. On it's own it's a good song, but I wanted to keep jumping back to the live blues of the previous track. There's a bonus track at the end, which is a instrumental of "Anytime".

I've always had Kenny pegged as a rocker, but it's clear from this professional release that he has many hats he could wear in the musical ring. Don't just buy this CD because he was the keyboardist for Stryper, buy it because it's quality music!
Rating - ***

"Your group's CD was AWESOME...totally KEWL. There's a little Elton John, some Tom Petty and then the EAGLES, etc. I'm sure you have a winner on your hands. It's todays, tomorrow's and yesterdays all in one. Really soothing and the words are just great."