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Seldom is a debut disc classified as a groundbreaking masterpiece, but Ethan Kent’s maiden album Work In Progress can be described as nothing less. The Dallas native’s 14-track opus brims with insightful, innovative narratives framed inside sublimely diversely sonic packages that invite the mind, body and soul to vibrate in unison. 

A pair of bonus tracks showcases Ethan stepping away from inspirational soul themes to deliver gleeful paeans to Ethan’s love for his wife, Audrey.

Mostly self-penned and self-produced, Work In Progress also highlights Ethan’s burgeoning talent on a variety of instruments, as well as his rangy, emotive tenor backed by scintillating, ear-catching backing vocal arrangements. Whether waxing soulfully introspective on touching ballad appeals for divine assistance (Always Be Around, Bring Us To Our Knees), delivering good cheer on throwback soul shaker Cast Away, or hoisting hosannas on the rollicking, horn-
powered, gospel stomp The Name Of The Lord, Ethan utilizes his winning vocal styling to cajole and convince the churched and un-churched.

Indeed, Ethan explores the various slices of a faith-engaged life with unflinching honesty and bracing lyrical imagery powered by singular blends of pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and gospel. No 
emotional stone goes unturned and no two songs sound alike, musically. The “anthemic”, pop-embroidered title track is as sunny as the stutter-cadenced Human Tendencies, featuring an 
angry guitar solo, is brooding. Offsetting Ethan’s arresting confessionals about the search for higher ground are two irresistible love songs - the finger popping entry I’ve Found Her and the pleading lament Will You Marry Me? As is often the case with musical auteurs, Ethan’s artistic evolution has been rooted in his own reality.

Born in Milwaukee, Ethan was reared in Dallas by a hard-working, hard-praying single mother who invested in his nascent artistry. For more than a dozen years, Ethan honed his dazzling array of talents as a worship leader who led adults, youths, and children in traditional and contemporary gospel and contemporary Christian at the Faith Christian Center in the Dallas suburb of Arlington, TX. Ethan emerged from his church-rooted, musical apprenticeship as a first-rate songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, performer, and recording artist.

Ethan’s ever-evolving creative muse has not gone unnoticed. He has appeared at numerous festivals, conferences and churches, plus performances at the Stellar Awards, Word Network and Christian Broadcast Network’s Turning Point. The album’s climactic, disco-tinged leadoff single, My Hope Is In Glory was a Top-25 gospel Billboard hit in 2013.

Work In Progress is part of an ongoing work in progress for Ethan Kent, a dynamic first step on a musical sojourn that invites us to join him on a mission of inspiration, illumination, and on occasion, amorous attention.

Tonic Blueprint, LLC

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