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For years, people have incorporated the catch phrase for various situations: "There is power in numbers."  However, this statement certainly does not apply for the powerful female vocal band RiZen.  The group was birthed in Saginaw , Michigan , by sisters Adriann and Aundrea Lewis' out of the eight member praise and worship team at their home church.  While the group was trying to form its musical identity and before its first recording deal, four members of the group departed.   The four remaining members - the Lewis sisters, Kanika Trigg and Ashley Jones, took the gospel world by storm with their self-titled debut in 2003, earning them a Stellar Award for New Artist of the Year.  RiZen's strong voices were fueled by their musical inspirations - from traditional gospel luminary Pastor Shirley Caesar to R&B music diva Aretha Franklin.  

By the time their follow-up disc RiZen 2 was released, the group became a trio.  But RiZen did not lose a beat from their debut as they delivered another round of exciting R&B and gospel inspired material.   Yet history repeated history before their third and long anticipated project, the new Free.  RiZen resurfaces as the duo of Adriann and Aundrea Lewis.  Despite another departed member, Free provides wall-to-wall knockout vocal performances.  The R&B/gospel mix is also present and accounted for along with elements of rock, Latin and house music.     

Overall, it is safe to say that RiZen's body of work to date, especially every track on Free, clearly illustrates that quantity is not required for quality.

Vocals:  4.0 stars
Music:  4.0 stars
Lyrics:  3.0 stars
Production:  4.0 stars  
SoulTracks Call:  Highly Recommended

By Peggy Oliver