Anthony Faulkner

Singer/songwriter/actor Anthony Faulkner has worked in relative obscurity for most of the last decade, toiling tirelessly on his many careers.  An accomplished actor who has appeared on multiple television shows, including F/X's "The Shield," he has spent the majority of his professional career writing or providing backing vocals for a number of Gospel performers, including Clifton Davis and Yolanda Adams.  He has also spent a good portion of the past few years touring the world in multiple Gospel shows while also (rather incredibly) completing his bachelors degree.

After years supporting others, in 2003 Faulkner began putting together his own debut album, a process that took two years and resulted in Faith,  released in the Summer of 2005 on the 7th Chapter label. 

Faith reveals Faulkner to be an engaging singer and a solid songwriter.  The disc is clearly a very personal project, with Faulkner serving as producer and also as composer of all the material, which is spiritual throughout but which musically straddles the line between Gospel and Urban Adult Contemporary.  Its 11 tracks are thoroughly pleasing, with a light sound cut in a mold similar to Smokie Norful.  Included are a number of radio-ready songs, including the first single, "Stop Searching," the nice duet with Nikki Potts, "Let It All Go," and the mildly island-flavored title cut.  Best of all, though, is "Praise Dwells Within," a big, jazzy ballad that gives Faulkner's material its fullest backing and provides a dramatic ending to this enjoyable album.  Faith is not groundbreaking by any means, but, like Norful's two studio discs, stands as a collection of well-written, melodic material that is well performed.  And there's nothing at all wrong with that.  Recommended.

by Chris Rizik