By Bob Marovich As is our custom for this time of year, the Journal of Gospel Music presents its “best of” lists in the category of CDs, songs, and historical releases. The recordings were not chosen as “best of” based on sales, chart status, promotion, voting, fan popularity, number of likes or retweets, committee decisions, throwing darts, reading tea leaves, arm twisting, or anything other than 1) JGM was serviced with the music for review and 2) JGM believes they best represented gospel/sacred music in 2021 in terms of overall music quality. Artists whose music does not appear here: please ...

Episode 157 Playlist Amazing – Pastor Mike Jr. Redeemed – Denita Gibbs I’m not tired yet…running for Jesus – Calvin Bridges You did it – Kisha Grandy Fear is not welcome – Brian Courtney Wilson w/Hilary Scott Better – Pastor Skylar Patterson & Predestined feat. Lisa Knowles Smith UWait 2021 – Walter Barnes and Men of Ministry I’m yours – Leah Oduro-Kwarten I am strong – Capathia Jenkins Thank you – Pastor Mike Jr. Yamagoya3 – Imari Tones Perfect healing – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers I will call upon the Lord – Dr. E. LaQuint Weaver II & ...

“Redeemed” Denita Gibbs IndieBlu / eOne Music (release date: June 25, 2021) www.denitagibbs.com By Robert M. Marovich Denita Gibbs of Birmingham, Alabama (now living in Nashville), is an excellent gospel artist who has not gotten an even break since her 2013 project, the five-star Without You (Audiostate 55 Entertainment). For “Redeemed,” a jumping celebration of salvation, Gibbs employs the talented producer Sean D. Scales, who injects the arrangement with gallons of urban AC swagger. Perhaps this selection will not only express her joy at redemption but be redemptive for her career. She certainly deserves it. This woman can sing!

Episode 154 Playlist He’s working on me – The McDuffies feat. Bishop Darrell McFadden I’m Black and I matter – Evangelist Lemmie Battles I’ve got the victory – Na’kaja Reed My help – Angela Moss Poole feat. Micah Stampley Nothin’ but the spirit – Lisa Bellamy Be alright – Friends (aka Anointed Friends) He’ll be there – RiZen He’s way ahead of you – Denita Gibbs Into this place – Bradie Frank & Ordinary People Come (broken, scarred) – Mary Ozaraga Are you ready – Debbie Cochran Diamond – Emilia Walasik Beside still waters – Derrick “Doc” Pearson feat. Brian ...

“He’s Way Ahead of You” Denita Gibbs DGW Entertainment (release date: March 6, 2021) www.denitagibbs.com By Robert M. Marovich Now THIS is the Denita Gibbs I remember from her 2013 CD, Without You. The Birmingham, Alabama, native’s declarative vocals on “He’s Way Ahead of You” are locked in from the very start when she sings: “This world is crazy / Spinning out of control / People do the wildest things / And try to rob you of hope.” Having painted the painful scene, Gibbs then reminds the listener to refrain from bitterness because God promised that He’ll never leave you ...

Special COVID Playlist, Part II: Survive – Earnest Pugh Winter Spring – V. Brown Be Strong – Voncile Belcher God Can – Yael Hilton Keep Holding On – Denita Gibbs We Need You – Lowell Pye No Fear – Restine Jackson Through It All – James Johnson He Will Restore – Byron Harvey & TEAM Hold On – Dynasty 901 Stand As One – Danton Whitley God’s Got Angels – Debbie Orange When the World Falls Apart – Terry Barber Peace for My World – Shekinah Glory Ministry It’s Gonna Be Alright – Titus Showers and Jermaine Dolly

Episode 143 Playlist Never forget – Atlanta Chapter of GMWA Mass Choir I don’t wanna go – Isaac Carree Come on down – Pastor Greg Harris Keeper of my heart – Avalon Keep holding on – Denita Gibbs Good God – Benita Jones Unbelief – Stephen King Hope in you – We Are Heirs Out of this – Jason Williams The Lord’s Prayer – Peg Luke Without condition – Ashy Akakpo Come away with me – Leo V. Yes I am – Michelle David & the Gospel Sessions Just one plague – Esther Igbekele JP

“Keep Holding On” Denita Gibbs Intersound / distributed by IndieBlu Music (release date: October 19, 2018) www.denitagibbs.com By Bob Marovich Denita Gibbs of Birmingham, Alabama, entered the national consciousness in 2013 with her five-star sophomore release, Without You. She’s back with “Keep Holding On,” a finger-popping single distinguished by a husky chromatic riff on electric guitar. In a confident, convincing, pop-inflected voice, Gibbs instructs that God will see you through the dark times. Though the single is more than a year old, Gibbs still promotes it in her appearances. A member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., a ...

Denita Gibbs Without You Audiostate Entertainment 55 (released August 13, 2013) www.audiostate55.com By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog Without You is Denita Gibbs’ sophomore release but her first for Audiostate 55 Entertainment and its muscular distribution.  It is also her first album in nine years but it is well worth the wait. A delightful, impressive project with quality song compositions, Without You is sung and performed with aplomb and given crystal clear production by Daniel Mosley, James Bevelle, and label prexy Dr. Henry Panion III. Gibbs, like the label, hails from Birmingham, Alabama.  She is a confident singer, ...