Praise Him Up

He has compiled his own compositions in a CD which he is preparing to launch on Sunday.

The album Praise Him Up contains such songs as “Stand up,” “Every Time,” “Interlude,” “In Your Presence,” “God is in control,” “You were There,” “Praise Him Up (remix),” “Secret Place,” and “This is Christmas.”

Together with his group of singers, Prayze Project, Carlton remains a staple at Faith Assembly International Church, Five Rivers, Arouca, where he fellowships.

Other members of the group who have blended their voices for this project include Darlene Guevera, Connel Lord, Natasha Wellington, Rhonda Martin, and Carlton’s wife Trudy.

A devout Christian, Carlton said he has a desire to take the songs of God to the prisons, hospitals and orphanages. The six-member group was formed five years ago and has since become one of the popular gospel groups in the country.

Carlton, who is now employed with TSTT, spent all his spare time composing and singing gospel songs.

Reminiscing on his youth, he said he began learning the piano at age nine, but hated it at first. He grew to love the music when he actually learnt the scales. At 12, he was baptised. And in 1988, he began singing with an acapella gospel group called Vision of Glory.

The group did two music videos—— “Ma Lord” and “Nothing is Impossible.”

Carlton later graduated to vocal training with Sterling Gittens and the Youth Pulse. Despite the training, he feels the only ingredient that is important to produce a successful song is the love for God.

“I wanted to reach people and touch their lives meaningfully. I don’t want to sing cause I may have a good voice. It is about much more,” he said. Music, he said, can heal the mind and the right song can bring change to anyone’s heart.

Having realised his dream of producing the CD, Carlton is hoping that his music will reach people through radio airplay.

Carlton said it was a difficult task putting the music together for this album, but everyone involved stepped up and gave money to the project.

He thanked Pastor KK Bachew for allowing him time to launch the CD. Part proceeds from sales will go to projects undertaken by the church.