W (f Shades o f Justice A Book Review A M usic Review By Eugene Scott By Eugene Scott Linda McKeever Bullard’s debut novel, Shades of Justice, is more complicated than a net Gospels music’s monar work television soap opera. This African- chy has done it once American female writes in the style of famed again. The Winans family African-American female author Terri McMillan has produced award-win (How Stella Got Her Groove Back). Even though ning artists such as The & the comparisons to McMillan have made Bullard’s Winans and Bebe & Cece rise to the top of Black besteller lists meteoric, Winans for decades. With Bullard has an incomparable style of her own. the recent release of the The plot focuses on Gwen Parrish, an attor Grammy-nominated debut ney who has a passionate desire to become a judge ------album from Winans Phase in Houston, TX. It is a city notorious for not 2, The Winans family proves that they have no plans awarding positions of power to blacks, especially to stop anytime soon. women. Because of her desire to practice law, an The sons of the gospel group The Winans, occupation that her father does not consider a Carvin Jr. (19), Marvin Jr. (19), Juan (17) and “real job,” Gwen’s parents have disowned her. Michael (16), combine in four-part harmony to make^ Further perplexing Gwen’s life is her daughter, up Winans Phase 2. This generation of gospel music s Ashleigh Lee, whose wish to live with her father most famous family demonstrates their music ability creates numerous complications. To add fuel to on their R&B-tinged, contemporary gospel album, We the fire, the complexities of being newly-wed to a Got Next. white man do not make Gwen’s life any better. To Winans Phase 2 , gospel music’s answer to the keep her head above water, she seeks support in Backstreet Boys, recruited some of the music indus her best friends, Willette and C.C. try’s most well known producers for their debut pro Although all three women graduated from ject, We Got Next. Their first single, “It’s Alright Texas Southern University and founded the Black (Send Me)”, was penned by Rodney Jerkins, the mas Female Lawyers Association, their careers and per- ter-mind behind the success of many hits including osnal lives could not be any more different. C.C., Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy is Mine” and Whitney the only black female judge in Harriss County, is Houston’s “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay”. the envy of Gwen. But what Gwen doesn’t know Grammy-award winning lyricist Kenneth is that C.C.’s many dark secrets could destroy her “Babyface” Edmonds chose to lend his expertise on professional life if they are ever publicly revealed. the mid-tempo, Boyz II Men-flavored track entitled Willette, the daughter of the most powerful black “Just for a Day”. Showcasing their vocal diversity as man in the county, is Gwen’s ticket to the bench. well as lyrical ability, Winans Phase 2 recorded a By sleeping with Willette’s husband, Gwen hopes remake of the Bee Gees “Too Much Heaven and that he can persuade Willette to convince her helped co-write “Come On Over” with producer father, the county commissioner, to appoint Gwen Narada Michael Walden. to the judicial bench. This group’s potential is evident when listen When everything seems to be improving ing to this recording. Unlike many children of suc for Gwen, Willette’s father is mysteriously mur cessful recording artists, Winans Phase 2 verifes that dered. A string of events also occur after this they can hold their own when it comes to their musi tragedy that tests Gwen’s marriage: a custody bat cal talent. When gospel music is the topic of discus tle over her only child and betrayed friendships. sion, Winans Phase 2 proves without question that As secrets begin to reveal theselves, Gwen realizes they’ve definitely “Got Next”! that she is not only losing people incredibly dear to her but also seeing their hidden personalities. Eugene Scott is a freshman, Physical Ed., Exercise, and Sports Science major who can be reached at [email protected].
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