“He Walked Alone (The Story of Jesus)” Chris Jasper From the forthcoming Gold City Music CD Inspired http://www.goldcitymusic.com/ Isley Jasper Isley alumnus Chris Jasper is no stranger to writing and singing sacred music. “He Walked Alone (The Story of Jesus)” is Jasper’s brief musical biography of Jesus from birth to crucifixion. A tender James Taylor-style ballad with a soulful conclusion, “He Walked Alone” gets Jasper’s high tenor treatment throughout. Available as a download on CDBaby and other media outlets, the song is a good choice to play during the Easter Season.

“Surrender” Carla Martin 5:11 Music Group (2011) http://www.amartinproduction.com/ With a rocking beat that speeds along like a brakeless freight train, “Surrender” riffs on the irony that in the midst of trials, it is in surrendering that life begins. Don’t give up, she sings, give in. First place winner at the 2002 McDonald’s Gospelfest, Evangelist Carla Martin now lives in Orlando, Florida and is married with seven (!) children. Her voice is reminiscent of Cher’s no-nonsense alto, which is appropriate to the content and message of the single.

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog. Scan the liner notes of a gospel CD and chances are you will see the name of Jonathan DuBose, Jr. listed among the musicians. Not surprising: DuBose has been an in-demand guitarist in the sacred and secular music arenas for many years. DuBose recently spoke with TBGB about his beginnings, where his career has taken him thus far, and his passion for “C.A.U.S.” Beginnings in Bridgeport Born December 12, 1960, DuBose first picked up steel string guitars at age four when his mother and father, quartetter Jonathan DuBose Sr. of the Sensational ...

Chris Jasper Invincible Gold City Records (2007) http://www.goldcitymusic.com/ Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog. Some deliver the Word with fire and brimstone, others with flatfooted, melismatic vocal power, and yet others with honey-sweetness so the message goes down easy. Chris Jasper falls into the latter category. On Invincible, the former member of the R&B group Isley-Jasper-Isley and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee bathes messages of hope, faith, encouragement and reliance on the Almighty in the cool, sweet soul that was the soundtrack of the mid-1980s. For example, on “A New Life in Christ,” Jasper exhorts ...

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog. Multi award-winning Andrae’ Crouch is moving into his sixth decade in gospel music, but he’s not slowing down. The singer-songwriter who, along with the Hawkins Family and the Rance Allen Group, helped birth the contemporary gospel movement in the 1960s, is promoting a new single, a new album, and a choir competition. The Journey, available May 15, will be Crouch’s first CD since 2006’s Mighty Wind. The album’s first single, “The Promise,” will be available as a digital download on Tuesday, February 15 exclusively at Walmart.com, iTunes, and Amazon.com, and all other online retail ...

The Showers Family Singers Hear My Prayer Aquila and Priscilla Records (2010) www.cdbaby.com/cd/sfgs Ten siblings – ten! – who are the offspring of a pastor and his missionary wife from Louisiana blend their voices as The Showers Family Singers. Their star is on the rise, as they won Best Traditional CD of the Year at the 2010 Ensound Music Awards for their eleven-track debut Hear My Prayer, and are nominated for three Rhythm of Gospel Awards. Hear My Prayer introduces a larger audience to their straight-ahead mix of contemporary, praise and worship and traditional gospel performance styles. And it’s a decent ...

JJ Hairston of the group Youthful Praise spent time with The Black Gospel Blog recently to talk about the group’s genesis, its musical influences, and the forthcoming CD, Resting On His Promise (Light Records/Evidence Gospel), to be released September 1. TBGB: You grew up in the Church of God in Christ. How has this influenced your music ministry? JJ: It’s influenced us tremendously. At its base, the Church of God in Christ is a traditional movement. We have our youthful vigor as a choir, but at the end of the day we are a church choir. We present songs for ...

“Oh Clap Your Hands” Brenda Jefferson from A Time of Refreshing Scripture Music Group 2007 www.myspace.com/brendajeffersononline “Oh Clap Your Hands” is the radio single from Brenda Jefferson’s recently released collection of “Scripture songs,” A Time of Refreshing. Pastor Jefferson and her husband, Bishop M.B. Jefferson, lead the congregation at Deeper Life Christian Church in Tampa, Florida. “Oh Clap Your Hands,” featuring Lisa Page Brooks, is a mid-tempo foot-tapper that showcases the background singers (who chant a catchy motif) as much as the shouting interplay between Jefferson and Brooks. The song is sure to complement contemporary gospel radio playlists nicely. For ...