Bob

by Bob Marovich, The Black Gospel BlogAs a preteen, Harold Rayford stood before the congregation of his home church, the Pentecostal Assembly of Fort Worth, Texas, ready to render a song. He had no intention of singing. Instead, he put a shiny saxophone to his lips and let loose a [...]

"The Lord Will Make a Way"Salvation Music MinistrySalvific Records 2010http://salvationmusicministryco.comSalvation Music Ministry is a six-member combo from the nation’s capitol that has been toiling in the vineyard for 21 years. On “The Lord Will Make a Way,” the group gives the Thomas Dorsey chestnut a soulful makeover, infusing it with [...]

“Help Me Now”Lisa McClendonFrom the BluSoul Entertainment CD Reality (2010)www.myspace.com/mcclendonlisaStellar and Dove Award nominee Lisa McClendon defines cool in style and voice. On “Help Me Now,” from her fourth CD Reality, Lisa is in a bit of a fix. She asks for support from The Man Upstairs, stat, in her [...]

Jasper Williams, Jr. feat. the Salem Bible Church Mass ChoirLandmarkChurch Door Records (available July 20, 2010)After twenty years, the voice of Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. – the celebrated Son of Thunder – is back on record. His label, Church Door Records, is reactivated, sporting what looks like a stylish new [...]

"The Turn Around"J.E. JonesFrom the forthcoming Ultimate Entertainment Records CD Fire (available July 20, 2010)www.jejones.netDuring the 1990s, J.E. Jones moved his way up the urban music corporate ladder to be a celebrated songwriter, producer and eventually vice president of Russell Simmons’ Def Jam Records. Despite his success, Jones felt a [...]

The following are statements from the Love Center Ministries website:Homegoing Celebrations for Bishop Walter L. Hawkins is as follows: ˜Musical˜ Tuesday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m. ˜Homegoing Service˜ Wednesday, July 21st at 11:00 a.m. BOTH services will be held at:Paramount Theatre2025 BroadwayOakland, CA 94612-2303(510) 465-6400NOTE: Word has it that the [...]

"Mama's Cry"F1 DiamondFrom the CD Pastor of the Traphousewww.f1diamond.comMemphis's "Pastor of the Traphouse," F1 Diamond, is back with another Christian rap from the mean streets. This time, it's a paean to the power of a praying mother and a saving God.Mama pulls her twelve year-old son out of a drug [...]

"So Good"Holy BoyRKD Music 2010www.rkdmusic.comHoly Boy's 2009 album Out of Time was resplendent with smooth, hook-laden urban contemporary gospel tracks, but on his latest single, "So Good," the Mobile, Alabama native is 100 percent country church."Well I hear y'all clapping your hands like you're from the country," Holy Boy (Herbert [...]

TBGB joins the gospel community in mourning the loss of a great artist and brilliant talent, Bishop Walter Hawkins, who has "gone up yonder to be with his Lord."Hawkins died today, July 11. Walter and the Hawkins Family have had such a profound impact on gospel music that to call [...]

Elaine NorwoodReleasedHighly Favored Music 2010www.highlyfavoredmusic.comOn the polyrhythmic first track of her fourth solo CD, Released, veteran vocalist Elaine Norwood sings about offering up undignified praise. Her praise may be undignified, but Released is anything but. In fact, it is one of the best gospel albums I’ve heard this year.The album’s [...]