Bob

The music community recently lost a towering personage in composer, conductor, producer and musician Howard Roberts. Founder of the Howard Roberts Chorale and musical director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Roberts died on March 10 in Chatsworth, California at the age of 86. Eugene Simpson sent me the link [...]

Vashawn MitchellMy SongbookTyscot Records (2011)http://www.tyscot.com/Following in the wake of triple-threat Vashawn Mitchell’s GRAMMY nominations and critically-acclaimed CD Triumphant (EMI Gospel), Tyscot Records mined its catalog to present the Chicagoan’s best early recordings and performances as a CD/DVD combination called My Songbook. The two-disc set hits stores today.The selections on My [...]

Dominic Massa of New Orleans' WWL TV reported that Sherman Washington, the last original member of the Zion Harmonizers quartet, passed away Monday, March 14.  He was 86.Washington was also the Gospel Tent coordinator for the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  He will be sorely missed but surely feted in that grand New [...]

“I Smile”Kirk FranklinFrom the forthcoming Verity Gospel Music Group CD Hello Fear (available March 22, 2011)http://www.verityrecords.com/On his latest hit single, “I Smile,” Kirk Franklin smiles in the face of “recession, depression and unemployment” because it’s not the storm but your response to the storm that makes all the difference. Plus, [...]

“You Are Jehovah”Judy JacobsFrom the CD I Feel a Change (2011)http://www.judyjacobs.com/Judy Jacobs flexes her muscular preaching voice to power “You Are Jehovah,” a praise song that benefits from strong musicianship and tom-busting percussion. The uncomplicated call-and-response between Jacobs and the ensemble builds in intensity to the last note. They don’t [...]

Blessid Union of SoulsThe Mission FieldSalvation Road Records (2011)www.blessidunionofsouls.netReviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Like the sonically similar Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20 and Foo Fighters, Blessid Union of Souls was a top 40 radio staple during the 1990s. The buoyant, feel-good sound of Eliot Sloan fueled such [...]

Glenn E. Rice of the Kansas City Star reports that Professor Michael Charles, "Gospel Music Laureate" of Kansas City and a former member of the Raymond Rasberry Singers, died Wednesday, March 9, at the age of 64.  Read the story here: Professor Michael Charles

“It’s Done”Anita WilsonMelody Green Music Group (2011)www.nimbitmusic.com/anitawilsonAs a worship leader at Chicago’s historic Fellowship M.B. Church and a member of Donald Lawrence & Co. – she led “Happy Being Me” on The Law of Confession, Part I – Anita Wilson has a strong gospel music resume.On her solo single, “It’s [...]

“Parent Me”Json feat. J.R.From the Lamp Mode Recordings CD City Lights (2010)http://www.json116.com/Json (born Jason Watson) has been featured on albums by the likes of Flame and DJ Official, but he is a fine Christian rapper in his own spotlight. On “Parent Me,” the St. Louis-born artist offers a poignant, honest [...]

“Secret Place”Jai Reed feat. Bishop Lester LoveFrom the TLR Entertainment CD Jai Reed (2010)http://www.tlrentertainment.com/Jai Reed and Bishop Lester Love duet on a heartwarming praise ballad, based on Psalm 91, about finding the place, even in the midst of crowds, where “ain’t nobody there but me and you.” It’s where God’s [...]