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No one has escaped the coronavirus’ effect, but in 1983 far ahead of the pandemic’s 2020 world onslaught, social scientist Dwight McKee composed foreboding lyrics about the uncertainty of our future in Time For Change (In Time). As fear, insecurity, confusion, shutdowns and social unrest continue to tear humanity apart, McKee’s diet diagnosis for this madness: “If we humble ourselves and pray and seek back God and turn from our wicked ways, then we will hear from Heaven and God will forgive our sins and heal our land.” (Second Chronicles 7: 14.)

Dr. Cornel West, renowned philosopher and social critic has described McKee as his mentor and the mentor of civil rights activists Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. McKee has been the manager for contemporary gospel musical pioneers Edwin Hawkins and his brother Walter Hawkins. In addition he has nurtured the careers of many recording artists including The Emotions, a Grammy Award winning soul/R&B vocal group. Visionaries, like McKee are ahead of their time. With many churches having been closed, pastors are seriously reflecting on the end of time, rapture and ascension. Time for Change (In Time) contributes to all these conversations in a context grounded in faith and hope that all is well and in perfect “Divine Order.”

The vehicle for this unique frame of reference is EPHIFFONY, a musical ensemble founded by McKee that features various vocalists. This particular track features the vocals of Sharon Irving, Ramel Werner and Marshall Hatch, Jr. Sharon is known for her rise to the semi-finals on Americal’s Got Talent. She is a highly sought after worship leader/performing artist who also engages in prison ministry. Additionally, on the EP is a ‘feel good’ gospel radio version (minus the rap). On that version the rap is replaced by a high energy shout chorus featuring powerhouses

The music is produced and arranged by Robert Irving III featuring his Sonic Portraits Orchestra. Irving is best known for his nine-year collaboration with jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. Irving was, ironically, introduced to jazz via gospel musician Edwin Hawkins when at age seven, his grandmother took him to The Edwin Hawkins Singers first major Chicago performance after their commercial success of “Oh Happy Day”.

Time For Change (In Time) is one of six tracks from the new EPHIFFONY EP entitled, “Existential Vol. 1” released exclusively on the Neo Gospel Music Group label. The EP includes the remix of “Time Won’t Tell (All Time is Now)” by Robert Irving III featuring vocalist Phil Perry. Originally released in 1988 during the last years of the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their allies, the song can, also, be regarded as far ahead of its time. “Or perhaps it’s just that some things never change and/or that history repeats itself,” offers Irving.

Official Enhanced Lyric Video: Song Composer, Executive Producer – Dwight McKee Lyric Video Direction/Editor: Robert Irving III for Ri3 Reels

Video Producer/Editor: Vincent Walker Video

LIve Segments Director: Dr. Benton Cook

Song Producer: Robert Irving III featuring his Sonic Portraits Orchestra Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Rob Ruccia at Uptown Recording Studios, Chicago

Copy Editor: Stanley Hill

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eXistential Vol. 1 – EP
Artist: EPHIFFONY

01 Time For Change (In Time)
Gospel Radio Version

Time 4:56
(D. McKee) Copyright © 1983
Neo Gospel Music
R. Irving III (Shout Chorus)
Copyright © 2020
Vitasia Music Publishing Co.
ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90027

Sharon Irving – Lead vocals
Ramel Werner – Lead vocals
Marshall Hatch Jr.- Background vocals, Lead vocals (Swing Low)
Special Chorus: Quincy Rycraw Cochran and Sharon Irving

Sonic Portraits Orchestra:

Robert Irving III-Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Rhythm/Horn/String/Vocal arrangements

Charles “Rick” Heath – IV-drums

Josh Ramos-bass

Bob Davis-guitar

Tony Carpenter-Percussion

Leon Q. Allen– 1st trumpet

Pharez Whitted-2nd trumpet

Rajiv Halim-tenor sax

Steve Berry-trombone

Sylvia de la cerna– 1st Violin/String Orchestral Concert Master

02 Born Again (radio mix)

Time 5:07
(D. McKee) Copyright © 1999
Neo Gospel Music

ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90028
Marshall Hatch Jr. – Lead vocals
Janelle Marie Miller-Lead vocals

Background vocals- Greg Gay, Kenny Davis, Joyce Hatch

Marilyn Serenity Phillps, Dwight McKee

(Same musicians as listed on track #1)

03 Where Can I Find The Lord

Time 4:35
(D. McKee) Copyright © 1979
Neo Gospel Music
ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90029
Marshall Hatch Jr. – Lead vocals
Wanda Hutchinson Vaughn – Lead vocals
Robert Irving III aka B3 rap

(Same musicians as listed on track #1plus:)

Nathelie Joachim-flute and piccolo

04 Time Won’t Tell (All Time Is Now) Radio Edit

Time 5:12

(R. Irving III) Copyright © 1983 Vitasia Music Publishing Co.
ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90030
Phil Perry – Lead vocals
Robert Irving III aka B3 rap

(Same musicians and vocals listed on track #7)

05 Time For Change (In Time) Rap Version

Time 4:55

(D. McKee) Copyright © 1983
Neo Gospel Music
ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90031
Sharon Irving– Lead vocals
Ramel Werner– Lead vocals
Marshall Hatch Jr. – Background vocals, Lead vocals (Swing Low)

(Same musicians as listed on track #1)

06 Born Again (radio mix)

Time 7:00

(D. McKee) Copyright © 1999
Neo Gospel Music
ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90032
Marshall Hatch Jr. – Lead vocals
Janelle Marie Miller-Lead vocals

(Same musicians as listed on track #1)

07 Time Won’t Tell (All Time Is Now) Full Version

Time 8:02

(R. Irving III) Copyright © 1983
Vitasia Music Publishing Co.
ISRC CODE: QZ-AKG-20-90033
Phil Perry – Lead vocals
Robert Irving III-remix rap (as B3 the rapper), acoustic piano,

Synclavier, remix Fender Rhodes piano

Andre Lassalle-guitar

Eddie Mason-percussion

Vince Wilburn Jr.– electronic drums

Background Vocals: Lillian Tynes Perry, Randy Hall,

Morrisine Irving, Mae Koen, Diane Madison, Ron Henley

Charles Rick Heath IV-acoustic drums

Frank Russell-remix bass

Produced and Orchestrated by Robert Irving III for Neo Gospel Music Group

Executive Producer Dwight McKee

Engineered mixed and master by Rob Ruccia-Uptown Recording Studios/Chicago

A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D

29 sec. Trailer for Three Song Trilogy

Watch Full Length Videos Below!

South Side Nativity by EPHIFFONY created by Dwight McKee, former manager of Edwin Hawkins and five-time Grammy Award nominated producer, Robert Irving III. This newly released visually enhanced lyric video envisions that if the “immaculate conception” happened today on the South Side of Chicago, Mary the blessed Virgin would be tagged with the euphemism “Baby Mama”. The three-song collection interrelates epic stories of mothers who endured sons: nailed to a cross, kidnapped into slavery, hung as strange fruit on Southern trees and fallen by Chicago gang violence. This musical journey of Classical Christian and Gospel/Hip-Hop concludes with an exhilarating World Beat anthem. It questions unique cultural perspectives, moral conflicts and spiritual resolutions, which are existential issues related to the meaning of our human existence that are further explored in the subsequent series of EP’s by EPHIFFONY entitled, eXistential Vol 1, 2 & 3.

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~Blessings and Bright Moments to You~

South Side Nativity-3 Enhanced Lyric Videos:

Catalog # NGMG90

Executive Producer Dwight McKee*

Producer/Arranger
Robert Irving III**

Sonic Portraits Orchestra
Robert Irving III-Director
Olya Prohorova-
Concert Master/1st Violin

Featured Vocalists
Chris Murrell (trks 1,2)
Ajene Cooks (trks 1,2)
Laura Walls (trks 1,2,3)
B3-(Rap) (trk 2)
Dr. Marshall Hatch
(trks 2 & 3)

Special Guest Musicians
Sir Kahil El Zabar-
African drums/dialects
Jordan Thomas-Harp
Joshua Mhoon-Piano
Nathelie Joachim-Flute/Piccolo

Rob Ruccia- Recording/
Mix Engineer
Uptown Recording Chicago

eXistential Vol. 1 – EPArtist: EPHIFFONY

29 sec. Trailer for Three Song Trilogy

South Side Nativity-3 Enhanced Lyric Videos:

eXistential Vol. 1 – EP
Artist: EPHIFFONY