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 & ...

Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers Somewhere Beyond the Blue Billy Blue Records (release date: May 7, 2021) www.radioramblers.com By Robert M. Marovich On the eleven-track Somewhere Beyond the Blue, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers offer southern gospel singing bluegrass style in the tradition of the Louvin Brothers, Carl Story, and the Lewis Family. Tight harmonies, dynamic banjo solos, and keening fiddle runs support southern gospel songs from the pens of such stalwart songwriters as Vep Ellis, Bill Anderson, and Marty Stuart. In general, the songs are sermonettes on the virtues of a good life and the promise of ...