Wayne Caparas

Wayne Caparas is an immensely talented songwriter and vocalist from Charleston, South Carolina. His artistic resume is long and varied, including a brush with Broadway and appearances in a number of films and TV shows. This modern day Christian renaissance man seems adept at a number of artistic activities, and his Gospel Project serves as a terrific introduction.

The record kicks off with "I Know I Am," a Caribbean-flavored spiritual and "Who Do You Say I Am?," a solemn piano and vocal track that seems to be the musical opposite of the opener. "I Belong" is a soaring gospel song that was written by Caparas, though the vocals on the entire track are performed by Quiana Parler. "Life Changer" is a vocals and percussion track that makes the listener want to sing along. Throughout the rest of the record, each track has its own sound and personality yet remains part of a singular vision within the project.

Caparas' voice is strong and soulful, making an immediate impression on the listener, and the production (by Michael Brown and Bernard Brown) is top notch. The record sounds full, using a wide array of sounds and a variety of musical textures from start to finish. Lyrically, the record would be labeled as "Worship," but this is not the stuff of the Sunday morning Tomlin/Redman crowd. These are modern day Psalms; the plea of one man who has walked a long road to find that God has redeemed him, regardless of the writer's own failings.

While this is one of the most professional and highest quality independent releases I have heard, it is the kind of project that is likely to be ignored by the Nashville establishment. That is not a shot at the artist at all. What we see here is a talented artist piecing together a high quality record, but not the kind of musical statement that works well at Christian radio or at retail. This should not be a deterrent to Wayne Caparas or artists like him, as there is much more opportunity for great art in the Christian Music arena now than ever before.

- Review date: 8/10/08
written by Rob Tyson of Jesusfreakhideout.com - JesusFreakHideout.com

We need more atheists turning to Christianity making music, because they seem so much more passionate about what they're singing about-- case in point: Wayne Caparas.

About twice a year, I discover a new artist for myself who is doing their own thing, which sounds like nothing else everybody else is doing, and this “new sound,” for me, is intoxicating. It's the kind of passionate, emotionally overwhelming, anointed-and-appointed music that comes along all too rarely these days, and on Wayne Caparas' “Gospel Project: Songs of Change,” I got that shiver through my soul I desperately long for. Caparas' music is honest, at times sensual (which most Christian music never allows itself to be), and musically diverse, complete with sax, fretless bass, and even some synthesizers used to good effect.

The key to getting an idea of who this Wayne Caparas is? His being a former atheist. That means he was informed by worldly, secular music like pop and jazz and all the other stuff we all know and love because it moves us emotionally. So when Caparas became “born again” and radically changed his life by deciding to follow Jesus Christ, he took his worldly music sense and adapted it to the Gospel message. And that's something to be thankful for, because the level of professionalism, matched with passion in singing, instrumentation, and melodies, makes for a CD which will be treasured, played over and over, and not thrown out or given away.

Oftentimes, great art is made when someone sacrifices all they know and have for something completely different. In Caparas' case, he gave up his upper East Side Manhattan apartment in New York City, a secular recording project, and a budding career on Broadway in order to devote his life to Gospel music and ministry along with raising his daughter, Amber, as a single parent.

Amber sings with her dad on the intensely powerful “Life Changer.” This is the kind of vocally strong song that would stop people in their tracks, the kind of song that would get a standing ovation whenever performed live.

Meanwhile, Caparas' voice is pure blue-eyed soul, by way of his French-Canadian/Filipino background, and this cool young guy is a vocal chameleon. On “Change,” he sounds like the Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford. On “You Call My Name,” you'll think you're listening to a Babyface smooth jazz/R&B ballad. And there's “Maybe, Maybe, Maybe,” which would do Harry Connick, Jr., proud with its sophisticated blend of funk and jazz.

Anyone who loves passionate music with a groove should get Wayne Caparas' “Gospel Project: Songs of Change.” This guy is one to watch, and you need to visit his site to read all about him and buy this extraordinary CD.

--Mark Weber, Author of "Anointed Voices"
for ChristianMusicDaily.com -

Wayne Caparas is a multifaceted artist. His versatility and ability to function at a high level in several different art forms are almost unparalleled in my experience. His voice is a rich, soulful baritone of great power, richness, and beauty. I have enjoyed performing with him over the years, and seeing him bring down the house time and again with his gripping delivery, vocal quality and intense presence as a performer. I have recorded two of his Contemporary Christian songs on a cd of my own. I feel that he has an innovative style in writing both lyrics and melody, and hope to see his new project gain a wide audience. This is an artist worthy of listening to closely both vocally and lyrically. - JesusDNA

“This is a great project that reaches the soul… I was able to capture many styles including something for the Gospel Jazz Lovers… I wasn’t surprised when I added “Who Do You Say I Am” and “Caterpillar Dreams” into rotation on my radio show and within 48 hours each song generated a 5 star rating from our listeners… I am sure as his music gets out to the Internet Stations many will receive and introduce Wayne’s music to the world. Wayne will share the FRONT COVER of the November Issue of Gospel Synergy Magazine… Gospel Project “Songs of Change” is off the chain!”

Andr’e L. Carter
Editor for Gospel Synergy Magazine and Program Director for Synergy1Radio - Gospel Synergy

Wayne Caparas is a multifaceted artist… He himself has received extensive Biblical training that he is applying as a teacher and speaker as well as a musician. The album, Gospel Project, is an accumulation of these skills and passions… The CD starts out with a rather cool reggae rhythm on “I Know I Am.” The base line on this song is kind of groovy and it really helps to make the lyrics flow. The first song then is followed by a more inspirational sounding track called “Who Do You Say I Am,” telling a story about Jesus’ disciples. I also liked the traditional spiritual “Life Changer.” The spiritual chant is a lost art and not often heard on a mainstream CCM project. The CD also features a handful of guest artist including Quiana Parler on “I Belong,” an amazing feat of vocal virtuosity, and Robert Williams (Saxophones) and Michael Brown (vocals) on “Maybe Maybe, Maybe,” which has more of a blues influence. Additionally, Wayne’s daughter Amber is also featured on the CD on vocals, specifically on “Caterpillar Dreams,” which kind of has a light jazz wistful sound.
While there is a variety of sounds and styles on the Gospel Project, I believe that the overall appeal would be for the Gospel/Inspirational genre. I think that the quality of writing, lyrically and musically, demonstrates that Wayne Caparas is a uniquely gifted artist on many levels.

~ Ken Wiegman for AlphaOmegaNews.com - Alpha Omega News