JGM Best CDs, Singles, and Historic Reissues of 2024

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 singles, albums, and historical reissues.

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 2024 in terms of overall music quality.

Artists whose music does not appear here: these lists were compiled from many hundreds of releases that came across the JGM desk during 2024. I appreciate you all, but I had to narrow down the lists to a select few.

Best Single:
“Oh Jesus” – Regina Vandereijk (Independent)

The Rest of the Best (in alpha order by title):
“Another Chance” – Ellen Hayes feat. Word of Truth Mass Choir (Songs and Melodies)
“Blessed My Soul” – Jason Singleton & Friends (Singletone Music Group)
“Church Doors” – Yolanda Adams (Epic)
“Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans (PureSprings / Fair Trade)
“God Is” – Melvin Crispell III (RCA Inspiration)
“He Looked Beyond My Fault” – The Nelons (Daywind)
“I Feel the Spirit” – Jason Singleton & the Sound of Destiny (Singletone Music Group)
“I’m Redeemed” – Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church Music and Fine Arts Ministry (Independent)
“Jesus Dropped the Charges” – Earl Bynum and Phillip Carter (SOV Inc.)
“Jesus Lift Me Up” – Jim Vierra feat. Ron Poindexter (Fifty Something Records)
“Live Your Best Life” – Brent Jones (JDI Records)
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans (PureSprings / Fair Trade)

Best Album:
More Than This – CeCe Winans (PureSprings / Fair Trade)

The Rest of the Best (in alpha order by title):
Amazing Grace – New Converted Voices of Tupelo, Mississippi (Myleshouse Music)
The Awakening Live! – Alpha Edition – Akesse Brempong (Independent)
Blue Collar Gospel: From the Pen of Rick Lang – Various Artists (Billy Blue Records)
Faithful Journey: Let It Be So – Mighty Men of Faith (Independent)
The Gospel is Jesus (EP) – Jessica Dalla Torre (Independent)
Live Your Best Life! – Brent Jones (JDI Entertainment)
Love Called Her Home (EP) – Regina Vandereijk (Independent)
Loving You – The Nelons (Daywind)
Today – Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Shanachie Entertainment)

Best Historic Reissue:
Various Artists – I’m Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958 – 1981 (Louisville Story Project)

The Rest of the Best:
The Original Gospel Harmonettes – The Collection: 1949-1962 (Acrobat)
James Cleveland – The King of Gospel: The Early Years – 1951 – 1962 (Fremeaux & Associes)
Roberta Martin Singers – The Classic Years: 1947-1962 (Acrobat)
Reba Rambo – Dreamin’ (Sony Legacy)
Sister Rosetta Tharpe – Live in France: The 1966 Concert in Limoges (Deep Digs Music Group)
Various Artists: Live in Heaven is Free: Checker Gospel 1961 – 1973 (Honest Jon’s)
Various Artists: West Coast Black Gospel, 1940-1973: Won’t Have to Cry No More (NarroWay)
The Famous Ward Singers – Clara Ward & the Ward Singers: 1949-1962 (Acrobat)
Marion Williams & the Stars of Faith – Four Classic Albums and More: 1958-1962 (Acrobat)

Best of 2024 Playlist:
“God Is” – Melvin Crispell III (RCA Inspiration)
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans (PureSprings / Fair Trade)
“Live Your Best Life” – Brent Jones (JDI Records)
“I Feel the Spirit” – Jason Singleton & the Sound of Destiny (Singletone Music Group)
“Church Doors” – Yolanda Adams (Epic)
“Another Chance” – Ellen Hayes feat. Word of Truth Mass Choir (Songs and Melodies)
“Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans (PureSprings / Fair Trade)
“Jesus Lift Me Up” – Jim Vierra feat. Ron Poindexter (Fifty Something Records)
“Blessed My Soul” – Jason Singleton & Friends (Singletone Music Group)
“Jesus Dropped the Charges” – Earl Bynum and Phillip Carter (SOV Inc.)
“He Looked Beyond My Fault” – The Nelons (Daywind)
“I’m Redeemed” – Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church Music and Fine Arts Ministry (Independent)
“Oh Jesus” – Regina Vandereijk (Independent)