Gospel Music

“I Can’t Live Without You”Tracy Forte (2013)www.tracyforte.comGospel indie artist Tracy Forte (pron. For-TAY) gives this decent urban contemporary love song to the Most High a shoulder-rolling urban AC groove.  His husky but smooth voice evokes BeBe Winans and Donnie McClurkin.  It's a cool down song with an infectious beat.Representing Charlotte, [...]

A sampling of vintage gospel photos from the collection of TBGB's Bob Marovich will be on exhibition at B2 Fine Art Gallery, 711 St. Helens Avenue, Suite 100, Tacoma, Washington, starting today through October 5.  See the information below for details (click on the photo to enlarge) or contact Gary at gary@b2finearts.com.

Servants of PraiseCLC: Live(released online July 30, 2013)www.facebook.com/clc2day By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogIt is often said that the most segregated time of the week in Chicago is Sunday morning.  But Jon Jones, Worship and Fine Arts Pastor of Christian Life Center in suburban Tinley Park, Illinois, believes praise [...]

“Reason to Live”Brooke “Viosocalist” AlfordFrom the CD The Viosocalist (released today)www.brookealfordviolin.comBrooke “Viosocalist” Alford’s sweet violin riffs join with Rashanna Harmon’s lovely stream of consciousness vocals on “Reason to Live,” a song of encouragement that promises “there’s still hope for you.”  It is an ideal backdrop for praise dancers and mime [...]

“I Need You” Dileesa Hunter (2013) www.cdbaby.com/cd/dileesahunter1A talented singer and respected vocal teacher, Dileesa Hunter of Atlanta released her new single, “I Need You,” last month.  It’s a finger-popping song of love/praise with catchy contemporary provenance.The magic, however, comes from Hunter’s relaxed, smooth vocals.  At obvious ease with the song’s tempo [...]

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogBrooke “Viosocalist” (pronounced VIO as in Violin-SOUL-KA-LIST) Alford, an artist of the violin, releases her second CD, The Viosocalist, tomorrow.  TBGB caught up with her last week to discuss the new release and her musical journey.TBGB: You describe yourself as a “Viosocalist.”  What [...]

Tony TillmanThe Tillman EPReflection Music Group (release date: June 25, 2013)www.reflectionmusicgroup.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogOne thing about Christian hip hop artists: they almost universally tackle issues of the here and now, even when—as on Tony Tillman’s The Tillman EP—the solution may be more aligned with the eschatology [...]

Win Thompkins & the StompersI May Be Hoppin’Uncle Win’s Music, Inc. (2013)www.winthompkins.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogI May Be Hoppin’ by Winfred “Win” Thompkins & the Stompers tickles me.  And that's a good thing.These guys have held on tighter to the 1960s gospel quartet style than most groups [...]

“Light” Tobbi & Tommi (2013) Available on iTunes Sisters, sopranos, and longtime members of Donald Lawrence & Company, Tobbi & Tommi just released their debut single, “Light,” written and produced by Brandon Avery Smith.   This rhythmic, extroverted praise song features harmonic as well as antiphonal singing by the sisters, whom [...]