Da Truth’s latest album offering is the third in his trilogy; ‘Open Book’, a broad and discerning word based excursion into the word of God living through us on earth.

Being launched under the Cross Movement banner can be a gift but also a challenge, with a band of biblical heavyweights to back him and at the same time set the bar high like Lecrae and Flame have certainly done…very high.

Da Truth; real name Emmanuel Lambeth Jr., sets his agenda inside the album cover, stating:

“Each of us is writing a book. The question is: How does your life read now and what will be your legacy? My goal with Open Book - my most transparent work to date – is to encourage each of us to live Jesus, consumed, truth driven, intentional and transparent lives in order to make the sights of Christ attractive”.

Da Truth be told, pardon the pun, the production right from track one doesn’t exactly get your musical juices flowing, not at all. Perhaps it’s all the anticipation awaiting anyone from Cross Movement or he drew the short straw when the beats were being divided amongst the team.

I was stoic. The loops and beat patterns were predictable and became repetitive the more I listened. On the up side though, it reduces any possible distraction from the message Da Truth intended to convey. He carries himself well lyrically, sharing his perspectives on Godly living, Christian short comings, values and the importance of ministering to the world in the process.

Exhibit A; chapter 3 on the album. Titled Star Struck, Da Truth takes an attitude from the secular but for Christ. Da Truth elevates Christ above everything…the industry, the fame for obvious reasons. Thing is, he does it in a similar way to the Jay-Z’s who boast in their money and success, only Truth boasts in relying on Christ with a reverencing-arrogance and a sincere conviction that’s apparent in his lyrics and tone.

To experience the embodiment of Da Truth’s “most transparent work”, consider Exhibit B, Chapter 12 on the album and titled ‘No regrets’. Da Truth challenges the modus operandi by stating his perspective on one of the world,s most popular beliefs; “experience is the best teacher” …certainly not according to Da Truth and he states his case extremely well.

“They say experience is the best teacher, that’s what they teach us in school, I say experience is the teacher of fools” Yes sir!!

Da Truth refers to God’s Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth as evidence enough for the wise that we need not “live and learn” and make unnecessary mistakes even going as far as reminding us of the repercussions that mistakes can have reverberating through generations. “Learning from experience is not spirit led” says Da Truth and on listening to the track you have to concur. Inspiring and Fresh!

Aside from the mundane feeling the beats give when listened to continuously, ‘Open Book’ is serious stuff and Da Truth will challenge and stimulate minds. With cameos from Donnie McClurkin, Ambassador, Izzy and Tye Tribbett to support, it’s worth a punt.