–Singer/songwriter Jordan Elias’ debut CD,
Desert Cry, has been named one of Gospelmusicchannel.com’s Top 10 Rock albums of the summer on a list that includes offerings from both Christian and mainstream artists.”There’s been a surge of uplifting rock albums released throughout June, July and August to ensure a literal ability to rock around the clock,” says gospelmusicchannel.com’s Andy Argyrakis. “Catch these ten top not-to-miss choices from several familiar faces — and some fresh-faced power chord pumpers — that are sure to engage, inspire and uplift.”
“When Keith Green’s widow Melody is a fan, chances are an artist is moving in the right direction,” says Argyakis of Elias. “Add in the fact that Jordan Elias’ grandfather is Motown producer Jerry Marcellino, while his father, Yochanan, founded numerous Christian labels, and it’s a surefire bet this singer/songwriter has more than just an inbred retro rock n’ worship yearning — he has a divine calling as well.”
Other projects named to the list include CDs by Newsboys, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Future of Forestry, John Mellencamp, Ivoryline, The Choir, Chris August, Ed Kowalczyk and House of Heroes.
If there is such a thing as a music gene, Jordan Elias has it. A third generation music industry progeny, Elias traces his musical heritage back to his grandfather, legendary Motown producer Jerry Marcellino, who helmed projects for such superstars as Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Lionel Ritchie and The Commodores, Al Jarreau, Bobby Darin and Smokey Robinson. Jordan’s father, Yochanan Marcellino, cut his teeth in the music industry and went on to found several successful record labels, including Kerygma Records, Galilee of the Nations Music and City of Peace Media. With the release of his debut project, Desert Cry, Elias proves the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Co-produced by Jerry and Yochanan Marcellino, the music of Desert Cry is a refreshingly organic combination of old soul, Gospel and thundering Jesus rock. Elias delivers a one-two musical punch of raw, bare-knuckles rock ‘n’ roll guitars wrapped around thick, meaty melodies followed up by moments of sweetly nuanced, intimate piano-based worship ballads.
With three generations of musical history in one studio, it should come as no surprise that the end result would be a stunning package of intense, relevant, accessible yet thought-provoking songs. What may be surprising is the fire and passion Elias exudes. Fresh out of the gate, he proclaims the truth without pulling punches, sugarcoating nothing.
Elias’ outright passion prompted Christian author and speaker Melody Green to comment that his song “Tickle My Ears Gospel” sounds like a song that her husband, the late Christian artist Keith Green, would have sung. That same passion for the Gospel permeates the video “Springtime,” a stunning allegorical representation of the battle between the Light and the Darkness.
Elias’ fresh, unvarnished sound supports a message that is as old as the Bible itself. “The title of the album, Desert Cry, is derived from a pattern found again and again throughout the scriptures,” Elias, a Jewish believer, explains. “It is the cry of the prophets, spanning from Moses, Elijah and Elisha, all the way down the line to John the Baptist and Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah Himself. These men, called of God, drew away into the desert, and there God gave them each the same message for their own generation: ‘Repent and return to the Lord.’ That’s what this album is all about. It is that very same message being declared to this generation: a call to ‘return to the Lord.'”
Jordan Elias’ Desert Cry is available on City of Peace Media, and distributed through Provident-Integrity Distribution. For more information on Jordan Elias and Desert Cry, visit JordanElias.com orcityofpeace.com.
Gospelmusicchannel.com is the online arm of GMC (Gospel Music Channel), the leading destination for Gospel/Christian music and inspiring, family entertainment on TV and online. For more information, visit Gospelmusicchannel.com.
