Sounds like … soulful urban pop reminiscent of Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Israel Houghton.At a glance … while Triplett's songs are undoubtedly catchy and encouraging, his exceptional voice ends up stealing the show.Track Listing Victory

Keep Your Eyes on Me

My Everything

Just Believe

Where Do I Go from Here

My Everything (acoustic)

Let's face it: No matter how much musical talent someone has, making the decision to pursue his/her craft on a full-time basis takes a leap of faith. And some solid connections, confidence, and plenty of cash certainly don't hurt the cause, either. So when it came time to decide if he was willing to pursue his dream of singing professionally, Kendall Triplett readily admits that he didn't think it was a "realistic goal."

"I actually spent my first two years in college rather undecided about my future," Triplett admits. But after reading a book titled Think Big, he re-considered his position and was eventually hired to sing performance track demos for Omega Sound Studio in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

After college, Triplett continued on his musical path and eventually moved to Arlington, Texas, where he ended up winning the "Unsung Singers" promotional award that's given by Kirk Franklin and Fo Yo Soul Productions. Later on, he made several TV appearances on TBN and performed his songs wherever he could, whether it was the local state fair or at his home church, where he currently serves as a pianist.

Now with his self-titled debut, Triplett has made his first project for the masses. And trust me, it's definitely worth checking out as Triplett has one of the best voices I've heard in the urban pop arena for a while. On "Victory," an affirming track that's also a pertinent reminder that God's always in control, listeners hear the first hints of Triplett's considerable range. And while he definitely hits what I call the "money notes" with aplomb, the true beauty of his singing is that he knows when to rein it in, too. This show of restraint, particularly on the more subdued "Just Believe," is what really makes his vocal performance stand out overall.

Other tracks like "My Everything," by far the best song on the disc, and "Keep Your Eyes on Me" are equally impressive, adeptly showcasing his musical diversity. Says Triplett, "For those who haven't heard my music before, it's purposely not limited to a certain group. It's a blend of gospel, jazz, pop, and soul."

But most important to Triplett is music as ministry. "I want to effectively communicate the gospel through my music—simple as that," he says.

For more information on Triplett, check out www.kendalltriplett.com or www.myspace.com/kendalltriplett.

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