MICHAEL McCALL
Associated Press
Amy Grant, “In Motion – The Remixes” (Sparrow/Capitol)
Amy Grant never has shied away from experimentation and change. Having transformed herself from devout singer-songwriter to upbeat pop star more than 20 years ago, she now leaps from the reflective tone of recent work to the electronic dance music beat of “In Motion – The Remixes,” which gives a glow-stick tweak to her catalog of hits.
A Christian music star who balances sensitive reflection with positive celebration, Grant might seem a tad wholesome for dance music’s hedonistic culture. But “In Motion” proves that positive lyrics set to a wicked beat can provide the juice to quench a raver’s thirst.
Some of Grant’s repertoire easily adapts to the re-mix concept: Dave Aude’s ramped up “Baby Baby” capitalizes on the sunny energy of the 1991 hit. Similarly, “Every Heartbeat” lends itself well to the hyper-drive of electronic duo Moto Blanco.
But other cuts required more ingenuity. Tony Moran and Warren Rigg are surprisingly sublime in retooling the emotionally layered “Stay For Awhile.” The same goes for probing Grant gems like “That’s What Love Is For” (by producer Chris Cox) and the more recent “Better Than A Hallelujah,” which doesn’t lose its tender message amid the inventive production of DJ Mark Picchiotti.
Grant has never taken the expected path — and once again creates an unexpected triumph.
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