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Anointed for PurposeJai ReedTLR/Fontana 2007www.myspace.com/jaireedtheartistIt takes a really gusty artist to start a solo project with an acappella track. It’s the aural equivalent of the dreaded Hollywood close-up, exposing every imperfection.But Jai (Jabial) Reed has nothing to worry about. There are no imperfections on his exceptional album, Anointed for Purpose. [...]

It's no secret that former RCA artist and Broadway songstress Heather Headley has a gospel CD coming out this fall on EMI Gospel. She is a "PK," after all!What is surprising is that an intrepid YouTuber caught the lovely Trinidadian performing one of the songs from the project, "I Wish," [...]

[This article by David Lindquist appears on the website of the Indianapolis Star. Photo by Frank Espich of the Star.]Al Hobbs may be a household name in Indianapolis because of a high-profile tenure at radio station WTLC that began in 1970 and ended in 1993.Gospel music listeners know Hobbs for [...]

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 & [...]