Gospel Music

MoveDexter Walker & Zion MovementFound Sound Music 2007www.zionmovement.orgI first heard the Zion Movement Chorale two years ago, at Chicago’s Southside Neighborhood Gospel Festival. Even though the program was filled to the brim with national and local talent, Zion Movement outshined, outsang, and outperformed everyone else. Dexter Walker's Zion Movement combines [...]

From Beale Street legend Richard Johnston:On July 30 a headstone will be dedicated at the grave of blues and gospel artist Jessie Mae Hemphill, who died on July 22, 2006 and was buried a week later, on July 30. The headstone will be a memorial for Hemphill who's contributions to [...]

“Magnify”Pastor Rudolph McKissick, Jr.and the Word & Worship Mass Choirfrom the forthcoming CD Intimate WorshipEmtro Gospelwww.emtro.com“Magnify,” the first single from Pastor McKissick and the Word & Worship Mass Choir’s new release, Intimate Worship (due out August 28, 2007), has plenty of mid-tempo vocal and instrumental energy, but the composition and [...]

“I Stretch My Hands to Thee”The Trumpet-lettsBilesse 00061960sBill Moss may be gone, but his legacy remains strong. In addition to his own work with wife Essie as innovative gospel group Bill Moss and the Celestials, Bill ran a record label (also with Essie) called Bilesse, an obvious elision of their [...]

“No Limit”From the CD With Praises from the HeartDana MackeyDDM Music, LLC 2007www.danamackey.comI know that “With Praises” is the radio single, but to my ears, “No Limit” is the finest track on Dana Mackey’s ultra-modern debut CD, With Praises from the Heart. Polyrhythmic and with rich, multi-layered vocals, “No Limit” [...]

Diary of a Strong SouljahG. Mayes & Nu EraLight 2007www.lightrecords.comI continue to be impressed by the tough hip-hop gospel sounds pouring forth from Light Records these days. Another such selection hits the streets next week: Diary of a Strong Souljah, Houston-based Gary Mayes and Nu Era’s third project.There’s so much [...]

“In A City Where Sun Will Never Go Down”Bishop P.H. Passon and the Evening Light SingersLance 1026ca. 1950"In a City Where Sun Will Never Go Down" (sic) is enthusiastic female group singing, hand clapping, and delightful barrelhouse piano that guides the singers while throwing its own holy shapes in the [...]

“Praise Him”Evangelist Robin SmithFrom the CD Emmanuel LiveSpiritual City Music 2007www.spiritualcitymusic.comIt’s amazing to listen to Evangelist Robin Smith, with her auditorium-filling voice, and realize she’s a throat cancer survivor. Her soaring Aretha-like hollers on “Praise Him” are huge and powerful. The track's up-tempo instrumental and choral backing bounces it along [...]

TBGB learned from The Belle Report that Bill Moss, Sr., member of Detroit's Moss/Clark gospel music dynasty, went on to be with the Lord today. He died in a Detroit hospital. Moss's sister, Mattie Moss Clark, almost needs no introduction, but for those who don't know, she was the leader [...]