Bob

“Beyond the Veil”Bishop L. Spenser Smith PresentsThe Impact Nation ChoirFrom the CD The IN Timeswww.theimpactnation.orgAlthough “Beyond the Veil” is not a radio single, and may not even be under consideration to be a single, it is chart-worthy, nonetheless.Popular COGIC vocalist Chrystal Rucker leads Bishop L. Spenser Smith's Impact Nation Choir [...]

Sherree BrownSoul Thirsty (2012)http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sherreebrown1By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Formerly known as Sherree Ford-Payne, singer-songwriter Sherree Brown is a Chicago native with more than twenty years in the music industry.  She has supported a list of well-known artists as long as your arm, from Christina Aguilera to Israel Houghton [...]

“In His Will”Herbert D. Woods From Ghetto Gospel – Taking It to the Streets (2012)www.rkdmusic.comHoly Boy's 2009 Out of Time was an excellent album.  Herbert D. Woods, the artist formerly known as Holy Boy, is back, and he gives his new single, “In His Will” a funky, soulful Al Green ‘70s feel.  God gave [...]

The Gay FamilyGod Will Take Care of YouGospel Friend Records (available October 1, 2012)www.gospelfriend.comwww.cityhallrecords.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Ask someone to name a female gospel group from Chicago,and he or she is likely to answer, “the Caravans.”  And that makes sense, as the Caravans were one of the [...]

Darryl HenryRelationshipsRhema Records, Inc.www.DarrylHenry.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Sacred love songs are the rage these days. Fred Hammond’s recent two-disc Love, God & Romance put it all in perspective.  Kevin Levar’s wedding-day ballad, “We’re Just Getting Started,” was made into a single.  The most popular essay on TBGB is [...]

Troy SneedAll Is WellEmtro Records (2012)www.troysneed.netBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.If, to paraphrase the subtitle of Anthony Heilbut’s The Gospel Sound, gospel music is good news in bad times, Troy Sneed’s All Is Well fits the definition.Snuggled in on Sneed's new album, among a handful of songs expressing [...]

“Dig In Me”P.J. aka Pastor JonesTBGB last caught up with former Def Jam veep J.E. Jones in 2010, when he had released his gospel album, Fire.  You may know his story: after much success in the music business, Jones, 24, felt a tremendous void in his life.  He gave his life to [...]

Apostle Ronnie “Diamond” HoardAll About Hymn – Guitar Jazz (2012)By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogIn the liner notes to All About Hymn - Guitar Jazz, Apostle Ronnie “Diamond” Hoard writes that he “finally stepped from behind the mic to infuse traditional hymns with smooth contemporary jazz.”That is exactly [...]

“So Good”Half Mile HomeFrom the forthcoming CDChurch Musik & Inspiration (release date: November 6, 2012)Billy Preston may be gone but his spirit lives on in “So Good,” the latest single by Ohio’s own gospel ensemble Half Mile Home.  The group takes Preston’s 1974 “Nothing From Nothing” and, while retaining its funkiness, [...]