JGM’s Best of 2022: Singles, Albums, and Historic Reissues

By Bob Marovich

As is our custom for this time of year, the Journal of Gospel Music presents its “best of” lists in the categories of singles, albums, and historic reissues; and provides a “Best of 2022” Music Hour so you can enjoy some of the winners!

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 2022 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 2022. I appreciate you all, but I had to narrow down the lists to a select few.

Best Single:

“Always Peace” – Brian Courtney Wilson (Motown Gospel)

The Rest of the Best (in alpha order by artist):

“My Faith and My Fight” – Tina Nelms Boson (Independent)
“Make It With Me” – Ray Curenton (Independent)
“The Garden” – E. Daniels (Presence)
“Never Give Up” – Del Harrison (Independent)
“Jesus” – Yael Hilton (Light Records / MNRK Music Group)
“Jesus Knows” – Lisa Knowles-Smith and the Brown Singers (EvoWorld Music)
“Believer” – Jenise La Vonne (Independent)
“Invisible” – Damara Melissa (Independent)
“Impossible” – Pastor Mike Jr. (Black Smoke Worldwide)
“Tell Me Where” – Darius Twyman and Destiny (Independent)
“I See a King” – The Wood Drake Sessions feat. Liz Vice (Independent)
“Lord of All” – Carolyn Wright (Independent)

Best Album:

Malaco 50th Celebration – Various Artists (Malaco Music Group)

The Rest of the Best (in alpha order by artist):

Die to Live – Maranda Curtis (Butterfly Works / Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade Services)
The Devil Don’t Like It – Dedicated Men of Zion (Bible & Tire)
I’m In His Plans – Hood Memorial AME Zion Church Celebration Choir (Bison Disc)
The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni – Javon Jackson (Solid Jackson)
Nothing Else Matters (Instead of Complaining, Praise Him) – Brent Jones (JDI Entertainment)
Kingdom Book One – Maverick City x Kirk Franklin (Tribl / Fo Yo Soul / RCA Inspiration)
Live at Daywind Studios: I Feel Like Singing – Angie Primm & Friends (New Day Ent.)
Signs & Seasons – Ross & Eli (Independent)
Transitions – Brian Courtney Wilson (Motown Gospel)

Best Historic Reissue:

Gospel Vol. 6: Female Gospel Groups 1940-1962 (Fremeaux and Associes)

The Rest of the Best:

The Caravans: Where Gospel Meets Soul (Acrobat Music)

Playlist for Best of 2022 Music Hour:

“Impossible” – Pastor Mike Jr. (Black Smoke Worldwide)
“Never Give Up” – Del Harrison (Independent)
“Believer” – Jenise La Vonne (Independent)
“Tell Me Where” – Darius Twyman and Destiny (Independent)
“Jesus” – Yael Hilton (Light Records / MNRK Music Group)
“The Garden” – E. Daniels (Presence)
“Invisible” – Damara Melissa (Independent)
“I See a King” – The Wood Drake Sessions feat. Liz Vice (Independent)
“My Faith and My Fight” – Tina Nelms Boson (Independent)
“Make It With Me” – Ray Curenton (Independent)
“Lord of All” – Carolyn Wright (Independent)
“Peace Be Still” – Kelontae Gavin (Malaco Music Group)
“Always Peace” – Brian Courtney Wilson (Motown Gospel)
“Jesus Knows” – Lisa Knowles-Smith and the Brown Singers (EvoWorld Music)