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Sean C. JohnsonSimply a Vessel Vol. 2: FaithfulSelf-produced 2009www.SeanCJohnson.comOklahoma’s Sean C. Johnson describes his style as “neo soul gospel.” Without a shred of ambiguity, the singer-songwriter's latest project, Simply a Vessel, Vol. 2: Faithful, bears this out. Like the male counterpart of Lauryn Hill (although hopefully without all of the [...]

Chicago is the birthplace of gospel music and on Friday, June 4, 2010, on the eve of the city's annual Gospel Fest, "Gospel Music According to Chicago" will honor its living legends, and bestow some posthumous awards, during its inaugural Hall of Fame.The event will take place at Christ Universal [...]

Various ArtistsHow Sweet It Was: The Sights and Sounds of Gospel’s Golden AgeShanachie/Spirit Feel 2010www.shanachie.comI didn’t think gospel authority Anthony Heilbut could top his superb compilation from 2005, When Gospel Was Gospel, but he has done so and then some with How Sweet it Was.For one thing, How Sweet It [...]

The 2010 Chicago Gospel Music Festival will be held Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 in Millenium Park, which is at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Below is the list of currently scheduled artists (subject to change). TBGB recommendations are in boldface.Saturday, June 5thWalgreens Day StageNoon [...]

“You and Me”dRenauldFrom the album Sincere Praise (2010)www.dRenauld.comBorn in Washington, DC, gospel artist dRenauld started singing at age five and hasn’t stopped since. He has been a member of Forgiven and SetApart, and currently serves as a worship leader at his church. But it’s his captivating and earnest vocal delivery, [...]

While in New Orleans for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) annual conference, where I presented a paper about the New Orleans influence on the performance style of Mahalia Jackson, I visited the area of Mahalia's "merry city" where she was raised.The section of New Orleans, around Magazine and [...]

While attending the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) annual conference in New Orleans this week, TBGB had a chance to say hello to fellow gospel announcer Kevin Nutt. Kevin hosts the vintage gospel music program "Sinner's Crossroads" Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. on WFMU (www.wfmu.org).He is pictured here [...]

"I Win”Brittney WrightFrom the forthcoming album The Beginning (release date: August 24, 2010)YSC Muziq Group/Emtro Gospel www.emtro.comNew artist and songwriter Brittney Wright’s urban contemporary single, “I Win,” is about overcoming adversity through belief in divine protection and the confidence that your success is sealed. This talented, passionate singer puts heart [...]

Cadillac JamesThe Message in the Music(private press) 2010(478) 228-3714For The Message in the Music, “Cadillac James” Cotton from the famed Cotton Brothers gospel family of Macon, Georgia raids the smooth soul sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, and a portion of the funky 1980s, to clothe his church-based messages in [...]