Paul Smith

Item: Extra Measure
Author: Vanessa Crooks

Extra Measure

(1994)

Reviewed by Vanessa Crooks

Discogs YouTube

Label IntersoundThe LighthouseJune 1994

adult contemporary pop r&b

It has been a while since we've heard from Paul Smith, former member of The Imperials. He is back with new strength and depth, both musically and spiritually.

The theme for Extra Measure is the journey of faith. He offers not only a glimpse of what his personal journey has been like recently, but also challenges his brothers and sisters in the Body to reach out and trust God where they are right now. One of the strongest songs on the album is one that he wrote in response to a true story he heard, "Daddy Came Home Last Night." It is a testimony to the power of prayer in what may seem to be hopeless situations. The album is filled with other messages of hope and encouragement.

While less orchestrated and full sounding than his past music, he takes a primarily adult contemporary approach to R&B flavored pop music. When he was asked to describe it, he said, "a little more acoustic feeling for me musically, a little more down home. I wouldn't really necessarily say it's country music, but it has some of those elements. Somebody said, 'It's not country music, but it's surely not urban. So it must be kind of the edge-of-town music.' It's the music and influences that I grew up with."

It's a pleasureful return for Paul Smith. He belts out words of exhortation and inspiration over some bright, acoustic influenced pop music.