God is everywhere.  However, often our tears, pain, crisis and our obtuse unbelief have a way of beclouding our vision so that we no longer see His presence.  Yet, in His grace, God sometimes open our eyes; and such times of revelation when we are woken up from our idolatrous stupor are piquant and heartfelt moments worth rejoicing.  This is the theme of Bryan Duncan's celebratory new single "I See You."  And this is also a theme that runs right through Duncan's brand new solo album since 2000's "Joyride."  Via these fourteen songs, Duncan tries to create these "God moments" when we see God work in our crises, our pain, our relationships, and in our society.  After a long bout with a long period of trials (where a producer backed away at the last minute and having to self-finance this disc), Duncan has grown to appreciate afresh the abiding presence of God.  And "Conversations" is his musical testimony to God's perpetual presence.  Ever since 1985 when Duncan debut with his first solo album "Have Yourself Committed," Duncan has one of the most distinguishable voice in Contemporary Christian music.  Gifted with a bluesy timbre shading his smooth easy-on-the-ear tenor, Duncan can croon with affection like that of Steven Curtis Chapman and he can also rock with a funky kick like that of Bob Carlisle.  Thus, Duncan has won the hearts of Christian radio evidenced by his prodigious number one hits such as "Traces of Heaven," "United We Stand," "Don't Look Away" and "Love Takes Time."  Perhaps his crowning moment was when he recorded "A Heart Like Mine" for the Oswald Chambers' tribute project "My Utmost for His Highest."

Instead of chasing the bells and whistles of today's music, Duncan has gone for the cynosure of what makes a good song great:  a sturdy and memorable melodic structure.  Starting with an accapella introduction before guitars and keys kick in "I See You" speaks of celebrating God's presence in our daily happenstance setting the lyrical tenor for the disc.  Musically, "I See You" is a delight to the ears; it has been a long time since a song is so catchy that you can't help but hum along even after the song is through.  Fresh, arresting and with the word "hit" written all over it is the sizzling pop album opener "Sweet Friend of Mine."  To evidence that Duncan not just a puff from the past nostalgia, the funky "God Wins" (with perhaps a hint of parody of Rob Bell's (in)famous book "Love Wins") could easily topple any of the chart toppers today.  Fans who have loved Duncan for his new-jazz funk will dig the Al Jarreau like "You Make Me Love You" which features some smooth horns from Philip Lasitter.

However, Duncan does step out of the box with a few detours.  Most delightfully surprising is "Loving You."  Calling to mind his "Caribbean Dream" from his "Last Time I Was Here" album, "Loving You" has the slow swinging island feel that has a languid romantic vibe though it is directed to the Almighty God.  While "Nothing to Prove" is a throwback to the R&B days of Luther Vandross and Gladys Knight.  The soulful melody with the groovy use of keys, this song of surrender is arguably one of Duncan's best ballads in years.  In the balladry vein is "Every Father is a Son."  With a dearth of male Godly models today, "Every Father's Son" is an explicit call for Godly fathers; most touching though is here  that we find Duncan sharing vocals with his own son. 

"Conversations" is where we find Duncan as real as real can be.  Without ever putting scaffolds around himself, "No Words" finds him chronicling his struggles at times with song writing which comes across as with sheer honesty without sounding self-effacing.  Perhaps what is lacking this time round is a piano ballad or two.  Nevertheless, after almost thirteen years between solo records, "Conversations" is worth the wait.  Duncan converses here with heart in a way that harkens back to his past without sounding dated.  This is a truly wonderful record that ought to get people conversing about.