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Tammy Trent

Tammy Trent's debut Sparrow Release, "Set You Free", fits right in with mainstream's pop diva sounds.

Since upbeat singer-songwriter Tammy Trent just celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with a second honeymoon to Hawaii, you wouldn't expect her Sparrow label debut, Set You Free, to fit so perfectly within the current teen queen scene.

Though Trent isn't a teenager, her girlish voice and youthful style could fool you.

You've no doubt heard of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, popular teenagers who show off their long hair, navels, and shapely bodies, selling quite a few records that consist of irresistible dance pop/R&B jams. Imagine a Christian version, a little older, a little more seasoned, with short blonde hair and a refreshing, enthusiastic attitude to boot. That's Tammy Trent. And, the best part is, you don't have to worry about hearing any sexual overtones in her music.

Already "My Irreplaceable," a funky jam, has gone to number one on the CRR/CCM Update national A/C radio chart, and with good reason. Its infectious dance pop has a groovy beat with uplifting lyrics about how great God is. Other songs on Set You Free keep the beat pumping. For instance, "If You Need Love," with its synthesized rock beat, recalls the late '80s/early '90s sound of pop superstars Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. Trent said in Release Magazine that she loves "that Minneapolis Jimmy Jam/Paula Abdul thing."

Trent's friendship with Lisa Kimmey-Bragg, of the urban vocal group Out of Eden, is evident on Set You Free, as they share co-writing duties on quite a few songs, giving Trent's music a trendy hip-hop edge. Kimmey-Bragg even contributes background vocals to "Everybody Move With It," which also features rapping by DJ Maj.

Trent is a bubbly person by nature, so the majority of her songs on Set You Free are ear candy, leaving the listener encouraged. The singer-songwriter sums herself up best: "My heart is for the church and encouraging Christians. It's part of my personality, being full of energy and helping to stir people up with the passion and the fire that I've found."

If you need a spiritual boost, and you don't mind dancing, Tammy Trent's "Set You Free" is for you.

(Christianity.com – Reviewed by Mark Weber)