“Somehow” Jermet “J.Cee” Campbell From the J-Musik CD Nah Compromise (2011) http://www.sonicbids.com/JCee To an invigorating Jamaican/African fusion beat with ringing guitar licks, Jermet “J.Cee” Campbell sings this song of encouragement to herself. “I know my breakthrough is on its way,” J.Cee sings, raps, and shouts like a reggae-flavored evangelist. She [...]
Stephen HurdO That Men Would WorshipHurd the Word (Release date: March 20, 2012)www.hurdthewordmusic.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.O That Men Would Worship is urban P&W minister Stephen Hurd’s sixth CD but his first for his own label, Hurd the Word. The album is more than an assembly of [...]
“Awesome God”Maurette Brown ClarkFrom the AIR Records CD The Sound of Victory (2011)www.malaco.com“Awesome God” is a dramatic, emotional and slow-boiling P&W ballad from hitmaker Maurette Brown Clark (“It Ain’t Over”). The single belongs as much to the background vocalists as to Maurette because their harmonies go from sweet to commanding [...]
FLAMEThe 6thClear Sight Music (2012)www.clearsightmusic.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.Those familiar with my reviews know I consider Christian rap artists to be the street corner evangelists of the 21st century. They take their messages of salvation to the highways and byways, converting by using the language of the [...]
The legacy of Rev. Dr. Clay Evans' Fellowship M.B. Church continues under the leadership of Pastor Charles Jenkins, who leads the famed Fellowship Choir on its P&W single, "Awesome."
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.In 1997, nine-year-old Kierra Sheard, daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters, belted out “The Will of God” on her mother’s solo debut release, Finally Karen. Her performance put the gospel music community on notice that the third [...]
“Walking in Favor”Marjane’From the forthcoming J Jane Music Group CD Grateful (2012)www.marjanemusic.comThe new single from Marjane’, “Walking in Favor,” finds the urban inspirational chanteuse continuing her string of fresh, buoyant and lively musical expressions of Christian joy.Supported with urban beats, a Jay-Z-style male interjector and chiming background vocalists for her [...]
“Cry Out”P. Lo Jetson feat. J. CarterFrom the Team Jetson Music Group CD The Purpose (2012)www.plojetson.comFrom Mississippi, Dale “P. Lo Jetson” Sellers is an emerging Christian rap artist. He released his debut album, The Purpose, last month. A strong single from the album, “Cry Out,” is based on Psalm 34:6 [...]
Todd Curry & FocusQuit Playin’ ChurchTLC Unlimited (2010)www.quitplayinchurch.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.“How can we speak in tongues and say we love one another;By the time the service ends, can’t speak to our sister and brother?”These lyrics contain the essence of what’s wrong with the church today, according [...]
“Burn It All Down”LexiMalaco Records (2012)www.malaco.comIn her soaring, brassy soprano, gospel singer Lexi (Alexis Allen) of “The Lexi Show” delivers a melodic and well-crafted power praise ballad. Her point is not literally to burn down physical buildings but to burn off the internal baggage and cleanse one’s self spiritually: narrow [...]
