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Robert Dixon and the Original Salem TravelersThe Return of Robert Dixon and the Original Salem TravelersTrue 2 U Corporation 2004www.cdbaby.com/cd/robertdixonIn the 1960s and 1970s, the Salem Travelers of Chicago were known for soulful harmonies, glass-shattering lead singing and a repertory of songs that provided social commentary on the troubles of [...]

“So Glad He Saved Me”Monica Lisa StevensonFrom the Puretonez Productions CD Finally…In God’s Time 2009www.myspace.com/monicalisastevensonHard-singing, altar-pacing, hand-waving, church-wrecking Monica Lisa Stevenson is right at home on “So Glad He Saved Me,” a traditional-style roof raiser. Great God almighty, this young singer with an old soul has the traditional sound down [...]

“Drug Free Me”Trodigywww.myspace.com/trodigyTrodigy is a five member Christian band from Las Vegas whose name means “Trinity led prodigies.” Armed with electric violin, guitar, bass, drums and keyboard, the group tosses everything but the kitchen sink into their stylistic mix. The lyrics address real-life issues with no sugar coating or commercial [...]

“God Has Smiled on Me”Joe RussellChance Records 2009www.joerussellmusic.comJoe Russell, former member of the Miami vocal group the Debonairs, was surrounded by all types of music growing up, but decided to embrace gospel music later in life. On the classic “God Has Smiled on Me,” Russell toys with the rhythm as [...]

“Beautifully Made”Leah SmithFrom the Beautifully Made EP (available September 8, 2009)www.myspace.com/leahsmithmusic1At twenty years old, Leah Smith of North Philadelphia already has eleven years of professional vocal experience. She worked with the Temple University Program for Gifted Young Musicians as a nine year old. She spent a year and a half [...]

Fred HammondLove UnstoppableVerity Gospel Music Group 2009 (release date: September 29, 2009)www.verityrecords.comFred Hammond’s Love Unstoppable could just as easily be titled Fred Unstoppable. The Grammy-winning “Architect of Urban Praise and Worship” and the leading light behind gospel supergroup Commissioned is in fantastic form on his thirteenth solo CD. Love Unstoppable [...]

The Beginner's Guide to the Gospel Music IndustryMonica A. CoatesPaul Marchell Publishing 2009203 pages; $16.95www.monicacoates.comDiscovering new music is great. We can discover new music via the radio, TV shows, or even sites like Strummer Recordings. Most of us love discovering new music because it can enduce desired feelings and make [...]

“God Can Fix It,” “Jesus Will Never Fail,” and “Worthy”A’Donna B. WilliamsFrom the CD Worthy (Williams Music 2008)www.adonnabwilliams.comIt’s a long way from singing in the Baptist church in Wetumpka, Alabama, a town of about 6,000, to opening for nationally-recognized artists such as Dorinda Clark-Cole, Paul Porter and Kurt Carr, but [...]

Marie Knight, who rose to fame in the 1940s as gospel singing partner with Sister Rosetta Tharpe, died in New York City Sunday, August 30, after complications due to pneumonia. In their heyday, Knight and Tharpe were among the genre's top singing stars.Marie's passing was reported by Mark Carpentieri of [...]

“I Do It For You”K-Praize feat. CamFrom the album Kingdom Certified (K-Praize 2009)www.cdbaby.comIn 1993, Kirk Franklin explained why he sings. In 2009, K-Praize (who was not yet born in 1993) explains why he raps. Time marches on.On “I Do It For You,” the single from his self-produced debut album, Kingdom [...]