By Bob Marovich The Journal of Gospel Music presents its Best of 2017 list in the categories of CDs, songs, and historical releases. The recordings were not chosen 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 JGM: 1) was serviced with the music for review and 2) believes they best represent gospel/Christian/sacred music in 2017 in terms of overall quality of music, message, and presentation. Artists whose music does not appear here: do not despair. These lists were compiled from many hundreds of releases ...

Various Artists Jesus Rocked the Jukebox Craft Records / Concord Music Group (2017) http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/jesus-rocked-jukebox-small-group-black-gospel-1951-1965/ By Bob Marovich In addition to its estimable contributions to the religious, social, and political life of African Americans, the church has also been an effective music training school. Untold numbers of men and women have learned to sing or play instruments before discerning but sympathetic church communities. While some singers and musicians committed their musical talent wholly to God, others sought fame in the financially lucrative world of rock and roll and R&B. This exit caused no small amount of consternation among churchgoers who felt that ...