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It’s OverSean SimmondsXist Records/Tyscot 2008www.tyscot.comOn It’s Over, Toronto-born Sean Simmonds delivers ample helpings of energetic holy hip hop with snarling synth, explosive beats, aggressive blasts of sound, and a startling lyrical frankness, all of which makes for extremely riveting listening.Simmonds drapes the timeless messages of faith and hope in street-cred [...]

You’re AwesomeAdrian B. King & C.4.H.P. (Created for His Purpose)JDI Records 2008www.jdirecords.comWhat I’ve learned from reviewing dozens upon dozens of Praise & Worship projects over the past few years is that in most cases, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.That is, the Praise & Worship album, [...]

“You Are Not Alone”Kevin LeVar & One Sound From the Habakkuk Music CD Let’s Come Togetherwww.threefoldmusicgroup.comWith Hurricane Ike ravaging the Texas coastline, torrential rains flooding the Midwest, train wrecks, airplane crashes, banks closing, homes foreclosed, bombings, and what-have-you, Kevin LaVar & One Sound’s “You Are Not Alone” couldn’t have come [...]

On the rainiest weekend in Chicago history, gospel artist Brian Courtney Wilson made time to speak with The Black Gospel Blog. We sat in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood (home of Barack Obama) and discussed Wilson’s music resume and new project.Wilson (not to be confused with the child star Bryan [...]

What Will I Leave Behind &Keep On WaitingThe Rahming Brotherswww.RahmingBrothers.comLocated 325 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, Cat Island, Bahamas is a 150 square mile patch of beautiful sand beaches and lush tropical greenery. The sixth largest island in the Bahamas takes great pride in having that “undiscovered” feeling.Cat Island also [...]

“No Other Name (Holy)”Phil TarverFrom the CD Draw NearerKingdom Records 2008www.kingdomrecordsinc.comIt’s hard not to picture in your mind the colorful, swirling banners; the lithe, leaping praise dancers; and animated chorus of Shekinah Glory Ministry when hearing “No Other Name (Holy)” from Phil Tarver’s debut solo CD, Draw Nearer. The psalmist [...]

“Do It” Dottie PeoplesFrom the CD Do ItDP Muzik Group 2008www.dottiepeoples.comLike last week’s Pick of the Week, “Do It” is a traditional performance, demonstrating that there will always be room on playlists for good old-fashioned gospel singing. Fact is, the song has already inched its way onto the Radio & [...]

LaShell GriffinDreams Are PossibleDAP Music 2008www.lashellgriffin.orgShe won Oprah’s Pop Star Challenge in 2004. Her first single, the inspirational anthem “Free,” debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Gospel Charts and even climbed as high as #11 on Radio & Records’ Urban AC charts. Her performance of “Free” at the Gospel Music Workshop [...]

Various ArtistsGospel Truth Magazine Presents Gospel Mix ‘08World Wide Records 2008www.gospeltruthmagazine.comIf WOW Gospel is the World Series of black gospel music, Gospel Truth Magazine founder Kerry Douglas’ new Gospel Mix ’08 is the All-Star Game, a mid-season summary of the music charts. True, many of the artists on Gospel Mix [...]

From Central City Productions: First Stellar Awards BallotDue to a number of discrepancies, the Nominating Committee is revising the FIRST Stellar Awards Ballot. SAGMA members will be allowed to re-vote on the revised categories only. The voting will be online only and will be available from September 10, 2008 to [...]