Theosis by Reverend James Elmore Jenkins: Album Review

by Damien Reid March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023

Theosis by Reverend James Elmore Jenkins: Album Review

The rock and roll prowess of Reverend James Elmore Jenkins is unmistakable. One quick listen of the album “Theosis” and you’ll be instantly hooked on their bluesy guitars and raspy vocals. Thus, if you enjoy a modern take on rock music with added tropes from the 1960s music era, then you’re in for a treat.

Opening up with the banger “Diapsalmata Blues” was the perfect entry for these avid rockers. A sensational guitar riff emerges in this piece, alongside beastly drumming and a funky bassline. Then, the artists resonated with blues in the track “Of Other Worlds”, where smooth organs and a poetic narrative followed. Keeping all that thrill intact was a satisfying guitar solo guaranteed to enliven your senses. Furthermore, the album takes on a different approach towards a folksy path in “Tree of Knowledge.” The song feels like a musical lecture in the form of psychedelic guitars, and soft acoustic chords too. Just when I thought the band’s tone couldn’t get any more diverse, out came the vibrancy of “They Shall See His Face.” It’s a fusion song mixing rock, and Indian classical music. The Tanpura produced a fantastic musical aura, all the while tablas and guitars entered the trance.

Band members James Elmore Jenkins, Wesley C Clark, Robert Edward Soren, and Johnny Reaves generated a truly stellar sound. And they all came together for one final gripping rock number in the powerful “Visions of Fire.”