New RamCorps album aims to be ‘magnet’

New RamCorps album aims to be ‘magnet’

RamCorps’ new album, “The Movement,” is more than a collection of great music, said Kenn Hughes, associate professor of music and director of instrumental studies at the University of Mobile (UM) and director of RamCorps, a 30-member Christ-centered high impact visual brass and percussion ensemble comprised of UM students.

“RamCorps set out to record an album to create a new sound in contemporary Christian music, to develop student musicians into professional artists, and to be musically and culturally relevant,” Hughes said.

“‘The Movement’ is sharing the gospel using music as a magnet to attract a variety of people from all walks of life. This album demonstrates the energy and passion of RamCorps to boldly proclaim the love of God.”

Hughes said the album is a compilation of selected Christian titles of contemporary music mirroring the style of groups like Bonerama, New Birth Brass Band, New Orleans Night Crawlers, The Soul Rebels, Trombone Shorty and Youngblood Brass Band.

The high-energy group released “The Movement” with a free launch party Sept. 19.

Musical elements in the album include solo work, group vocals, rapping and even yelling to take full advantage of these gifted and energetic college students, Hughes said.

“The way this group of students gets to express their love for Christ using music is unlike any other and affords us opportunities that are most unique,” he said. “We’re hopeful that these arrangements and the experience that we gained as performers will bring people to their feet in our live concerts.”

RamCorps collaborated with professional musicians in Nashville who wrote material for the album and worked in the studio with students. The recording was done over the course of five days in April and May.

RamCorps also recorded a few fan favorites, including “The Movement” and “Brooklyn” by Young Blood Brass Band, plus a new single by RamCorps member Michael Jolly, “Just in Time.”

The group performs more than 120 concerts each year in churches, schools and public venues across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, South Carolina and North Carolina.

RamCorps has traveled internationally on musical missions trips to areas such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and in Sochi, Russia, during the Olympics.

As Compassion Music Artist Ambassadors, they are recognized among artists such as Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant and Phil Keaggy who partner with the child advocacy ministry Compassion International. Through Compassion International, RamCorps sponsors Henriette, a girl from Africa.

Additional performances

RamCorps will perform along with other Christian artists on the 2017 K-Love Cruise aboard the MSC Divina, which will port in the Bahamas and in the Dominican Republic. Among the performers are Steven Curtis Chapman, Matt Maher, Natalie Grant, and UM alumni Big Daddy Weave, among others.

For information about “The Movement,” visit www.umobile.edu. (UM)