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“Surrender”Danielle Lewis (2011)http://www.purelydanielle.com/Last year, New York-raised songstress Danielle Lewis released her debut CD Amazing to critical acclaim. Her voice -- sweet and pure as sugar but mighty as an anvil -- also helped her take home the 2011 Kingdom Choice Award for Best Female Urban Artist. Lewis now uses her gift on [...]

Theresa PinkneyMe Against the WorldGifts of the Spirit Music (2011)http://www.theresapinkney.com/When I hear "Pinkney," the first person that comes to mind is the late Bill Pinkney of the famous R&B vocal group the Drifters.But aha, there's another musical Pinkney: Theresa Pinkney. Although I don't know if the two are related, Theresa [...]

“Trust Him”BATAYAHFrom the CD Simply BATAYAHhttp://www.batayah.com/Contemporary gospel singer BATAYAH brings the laidback swagger and confidence of neo-soul to her performance of “Trust Him.” Like a good friend offering practical advice, BATAYAH tells you to keep the faith, no matter what your trial may be, whether a death in the family, [...]

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Whenever you think you can’t do something, read Le’Andria Johnson’s story and reconsider.The season three winner of BET’s Sunday Best has weathered enough of life's challenges to give Job a run for his money. And like Job, she is now reaping her reward.  Her CD, [...]

“Fly Again”The Sounds of Blackness, feat. Jamecia BennettMalaco Records (2011)http://www.malaco.com/On its new single, “Fly Again,” the musically eclectic and lyrically poetic ensemble The Sounds of Blackness assures us that yes, things are going to get better.Whether you are frustrated or confused, whether you have lost friends, family or money, just [...]

MarvalinnThunder of PraiseMarvalous Music (2011)http://www.marvalinn.com/Marvalinn is marvelous.For her sophomore project, Thunder of Praise, the native Detroiter draws on CCM, gospel, and pop to express her religious emotions.Marvalinn's songs are uniformly friendly, simple and melodic. She is a superb songwriter and singer whose voice is pleasant and pop-influenced, a sound one [...]

Judith Christie McAllisterSound the TrumpetShanachie Entertainment (2011)http://www.shanachie.com/by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Judith Christie McAllister’s Sound the Trumpet is her fourth CD but first in five years. In the years since the release of In His Presence, the President of the Church of God in Christ International Music Department [...]

Kevin Terry and Predestined Kevin Terry and Predestined LiveKingdom Music Group (2011)http://www.kevinterryandpredestined.com/By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.In May, TBGB reviewed “Hold On,” the single by Kevin Terry and Predestined. The group’s full project, released by Kingdom Music Group, is now available.On Kevin Terry and Predestined Live, Kevin “Music Pastor” Terry leads an emotionally-charged [...]

Chuck and the Guiding CloudsChangeJ Fam Music, Inc.http://www.chuckandtheguidingclouds.com/By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.During “God’s Love,” the final selection on their new album Change, Chuck and the Guiding Clouds offer a dose of reality about the gospel highway, and in the process deliver a mini-workshop for aspiring gospel artists.The [...]

“I’ll Go”Eddie Ruth BradfordFrom the album Jesus is Coming Backwww.eddieruthbradfordmusic.comEddie Ruth Bradford moans a simple, old-fashioned gospel as piano, organ and female vocal group accompany in wordless, antiphonal assent. When she sings, “I may be weary/I’ll go…send me,” you feel every ounce of exhaustion, every body-ache, in her tone. You [...]