Various ArtistsOut of the FireFAAB Ink (2012)www.reverbnation.com/outthefireBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Out of the Fire is a compilation of a dozen independent artists whose sound, notes executive producer Drew Ferelle of FAAB Ink, is best categorized as “Kingdom Music.” That is, the album traverses pop, hip hop, rock, [...]
John Redmon & FriendsFaith, Love & Unity, Volume 1Reaching Records (2009)http://www.reachingrecords.com/By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.John Redmon founded Reaching Records in Oakland, California in 1994. His 2009 compilation, Love, Faith & Unity, Volume 1, was a 9th Annual Independent Music Award nominee.The compilation traverses gospel, CCM, R&B, and hip [...]
Check out the preview of Deitrick Haddon's film, A Beautiful Soul. Directed by Jeff Byrd (“Soul Food” TV series), A Beautiful Soul is the story of Andre Stephens (Haddon), an R&B superstar who has success, fame and fortune but has lost his way spiritually. The film follows Andre after his [...]
Take 6OneShanachie (2012)www.shanachie.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.“It only takes one,” according to the single, but it takes Take 6 to produce the percussive and polyphonic vocal harmonies that give the song, and the group’s latest album, its distinctive vibe.The GRAMMY-winning Take 6 celebrate their 25th anniversary as [...]
“Thank You”Roy and Revelation4 Winds Records (2011)www.royandrevelation.comIn the early 1960s, such vocal groups as the Isley Brothers and the Contours borrowed liberally from gospel to build their soul dynamism in sound, rhythm and choreography. Roy (Ladson, Jr.) and Revelation, a young quartet from South Carolina, collects the interest by injecting [...]
Gospel's Kirk Franklin honored by Rock Hall
Everett Drake Amen Goes Right There Dherico Music (2011) www.everettdrake.com By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog. Amen Goes Right There is the debut solo CD of Everett Drake, a Nashville singer-songwriter and long-time vocalist for the popular Bobby Jones television program. A former member of the famed Johnson [...]
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Christian rapper FLAME saw his latest CD, The 6th, debut at the number one spot on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart immediately after its release March 6. FLAME talked with TBGB about The 6th and his life in Christian rap and hip hop.TBGB: Take us to the beginning [...]
“Speechless”Anita WilsonFrom the EMI Gospel CD Worship Soul (2012)www.emigospel.comChicago’s Anita Wilson describes the praise ballad “Speechless” as a “slow jam” that expresses how she adores God, even when all she can do is wave her hands. But Wilson has a voice here and, backed by strong musicians and background vocalists, she [...]
Smokie NorfulOnce In a LifetimeEMI Gospel (released April 3, 2012)www.emigospel.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Ten years ago, Smokie Norful emerged as one of the most talented male vocalists in modern gospel music. His breakout hit “I Need You Now” made its way onto the playlists of urban contemporary stations [...]
