JGM’s Best of 2018 Lists

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Best Gospel CDs, Singles and Historic Reissues of 2018

By Bob Marovich

As is our custom for this time of year, the Journal of Gospel Music presents its “best of” lists in the category of CDs, songs, and historical releases.

The recordings were not chosen as “best of” based on sales, chart status, promotion, voting, fan popularity, number of likes or retweets, committee decisions, throwing darts, reading tea leaves, arm twisting, or anything other than 1) JGM was serviced with the music for review and 2) JGM believes they best represented gospel/sacred music in 2018 in terms of overall music quality.

Artists whose music does not appear here: please don’t despair. These lists were compiled from many hundreds of releases that came across the JGM desk during 2018. I love you all, but I had to narrow down the lists to a select few.

Best CD:
Bringing It Back Home – GMWA Detroit Chapter Choir (GMWA Detroit)

The Rest of the Best:
The Answer – Jason Nelson (RCA Inspiration)
Don’t Let the Devil Ride – Paul Thorn (Perpetual Obscurity)
I Am Reminded – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (Brooklyn Tabernacle Music)
Live! Rancho Nicasio – Sons of the Soul Revivers (Little Village Foundation)
Nine Beats to the Bar – Nine Beats Collective (Plankton)
Open Your Mouth and Say Something – Brent Jones (JDI)
Sermons in Song – Braxton D. Shelley & Testimony (Independent)
Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album – CeCe Winans (PureSprings Gospel)
Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love – Various Artists (RCA Inspiration)
The Time of the Minstrel – Morris Mingo feat. With One Voice Ensemble (Moming Prods.)

Best Song:
“You Say” – Lauren Daigle (Centricity Music)

The Rest of the Best:
“Blue” – Juliana Schnee (Independent)
“Cycles” – Jonathan McReynolds feat. DOE (eOne Music)
“Enter His Gates” – Patrick Lundy & the Ministers of Music (New Day Distribution)
“Forever” – Jason Nelson (RCA Inspiration)
“I’ll Never Leave You” – Jessica Dalla Torre (Independent)
“I’m Determined” – Bemeche’ (BGMN Records)
“Lament” – Nine Beats Collective feat. Fatai (Plankton)
“Pilgrim and a Stranger” – Sons of the Soul Revivers (Little Village Foundation)
“You Lift Me Up” – Javen feat. Christina Bell (Tyscot)

Best Historic Reissue:
Soul Don’t Worry! (NarroWay)

The Rest of the Best:
Lord Give Me Strength: Prof. Harold Boggs (and Lula Reed) (Gospel Friend)

Best of 2018 Playlist:
“All Is Well” – GMWA Detroit Chapter Choir (GMWA Detroit)
“Forever” – Jason Nelson (RCA Inspiration)
“Enter His Gates” – Patrick Lundy & the Ministers of Music (New Day Distribution)
“Cycles” – Jonathan McReynolds feat. DOE (eOne Music)
“I’ll Never Leave You” – Jessica Dalla Torre (Independent)
“Pilgrim and a Stranger” – Sons of the Soul Revivers (Little Village Foundation)
“Lament” – Nine Beats Collective feat. Fatai (Plankton)
“Blue” – Juliana Schnee (Independent)
“I’m Determined” – Bemeche’ (BGMN Records)
“You Lift Me Up” – Javen feat. Christina Bell (Tyscot)
“You Say” – Lauren Daigle (Centricity Music)