Jamarien MooreI’ll Go (EP)http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamarienmooreBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogI can understand why Jamarien Moore made it to the finals on BET’s Sunday Best. He has a versatile, elastic tenor, an almost effortless delivery, and his display of melisma evokes Smokie Norful. According to his website, Moore was influenced by [...]
Rev. Roy Reed & the Zion JubileesLet Him InSharp Records (2014)By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogCrate diggers will know the Zion Jubilees from their 1970s singles on Stan Lewis’s Jewel label. Others will simply know the quartet as the Zion Jubilees of Bryan, Texas who have been on [...]
Jackson, MS - Quartet Pioneer and father of D.A. Johnson (Executive Director, Gospel Division Malaco Music Group), Willie Connell Johnson passed on Thursday March 6, 2014, at his home, surrounded by family in Jamaica, NY.Willie Connell Johnson, born in Sumter, SC, founder of The Mighty Brooklyn Skyways, a quartet that enjoyed [...]
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogToday, James Fortune is one of gospel music’s best-selling artists. In addition to recording a string of radio hits and launching his own record label, FIYAWorld Music, Fortune helped introduce singer Zacardi Cortez to a wider audience. Cortez’s “One On One” is now [...]
“I’m Climbing Up” wrestling Lady VJillian EllisFrom the Positive Message Music CD The Journey (2013)www.jillianfaithmusic.comOpening with a piano riff straight outta Ladytron, Cincinnati’s Jillian Ellis, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter, offers “I’m Climbing Up.” It's a brisk, delicious pop-flavored inspirational song with crossover potential. To a pulsing EDM backdrop, Jillian sings about [...]
Donnie McClurkinDuetsRCA Inspiration (released March 4, 2014)www.rcainspiration.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogDonnie McClurkin got the idea for Duets from a conversation with Fred Hammond on how to invigorate gospel music. Citing the strength and popularity of multi-artist collaborations in secular music, Hammond suggested that one way to maintain gospel’s vigor [...]
Recently acclaimed by Rolling Stone as one of 25 "must see acts" at this year's SXSW (South by Southwest) festival, the Jones Family Singers let their traditional roots show with "Down On Me."
Arthur Sutton, member of Chicago's famed Willing Four and leader of Arthur Sutton and the Gift of Praise, joins wife Janet and her national award-winning Voices of Acme on an original: "I Got An Angel."Arthur wrote and leads the simple, easy-as-Sunday-morning reminder that we are never alone when making our [...]
Darlene Love Oscars Speech Turns Into A Gospel Song, Earns Standing Ovation (VIDEO)
“If This is Faith”Duawne StarlingAvailable on iTunesAt one time, gospel tenor Duawne Starling was “twenty feet from stardom,” singing background for top-shelf artists such as Pastor Donnie McClurkin. His flexible voice can be heard on “Great Is Your Mercy” from McClurkin’s double platinum CD, Live In London and More…. Starling [...]
