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El McMeen & Ed Maina – Frets and Reeds: Gospel Style!
El McMeen & Ed Maina Frets and Reeds: Gospel Style! Piney Ridge Music (release date: March 25, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich Sometimes gospel jazz can be so imaginative that the melodies get buried beneath the lengthy solos and complex arrangements. But on Frets and Reeds: Gospel Style!, acclaimed musicians Ellsworth "El" McMeen and Ed Maina jazz the hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs ever so softly and tenderly without sacrificing the timeless beauty and charm of the melodies. It’s a peaceful, easy album. McMeen picks acoustic guitar and Maina handles woodwinds, mostly saxophone but also clarinet and flute. The [...]
Kierra Sheard to Receive BMI Impact Award at 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards
Multiple award-winning artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard will receive the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her impressive career and impact on the future of gospel music.
JGM Pick of the Week – June 15, 2026
In the church-wrecking tradition of the Caravans, veteran gospel singer Beverly Crawford shouts and squalls it up on “Made a Way.'
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Recent Posts
El McMeen & Ed Maina – Frets and Reeds: Gospel Style!
El McMeen & Ed Maina Frets and Reeds: Gospel Style! Piney Ridge Music (release date: March 25, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich Sometimes gospel jazz can be so imaginative that the melodies get buried beneath the lengthy solos and complex arrangements. But on Frets and Reeds: Gospel Style!, acclaimed musicians Ellsworth "El" McMeen and Ed Maina jazz the hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs ever so softly and tenderly without sacrificing the timeless beauty and charm of the melodies. It’s a peaceful, easy album. McMeen picks acoustic guitar and Maina handles woodwinds, mostly saxophone but also clarinet and flute. The [...]
Kierra Sheard to Receive BMI Impact Award at 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards
Multiple award-winning artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard will receive the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her impressive career and impact on the future of gospel music.
JGM Pick of the Week – June 15, 2026
In the church-wrecking tradition of the Caravans, veteran gospel singer Beverly Crawford shouts and squalls it up on “Made a Way.'
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What would The Family sound like without Kirk Franklin? Pretty solid, though not surprisingly, given the voices involved.
EMG Cares, the philanthropic 501(c)(3) arm of Enon Music Group, is making a powerful impact nationwide through its 2026 I STILL BELIEVE Tour under the inspiring theme, “Building Unity, Igniting Hope!”
From the boom-chuga-lugga rhythm to the hint of the congregational favorite “When We All Get Together” in the melody to the unrelenting vamp, singer-songwriter David Frazier’s “Finish With the Victory” reminds the listener over and over that it’s not over until it’s over.
Tehillah Music Group is proud to announce it has added nationally-recognized worship leader Stephen Hurd to its roster of artists, in anticipation of Hurd's new album, set to be released in the coming months.
This episode includes music reviewed on the Journal of Gospel Music between late January and early April 2026.
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LATEST 5 STAR REVIEWS
Gaither Tribute is a big bouquet of roses for Bill and Gloria Gaither.
Live From New Orleans delivers marvelous singing, well-written songs, professional musicians, and all of it expertly curated. It’s a worship experience in a jewel case.
Believer, Ray Curenton’s third studio album, is his finest to date.
What makes Ubuntu outstanding is that it doesn’t just feature Jonathan Butler, smooth jazz artist, but Jonathan Butler, smooth jazz artist who has returned to his roots and applied his craft to an expression of African sentiments, sounds, and rhythms. It’s the South African musician’s finest album to date.
Strictly Gospel by Northern Ireland’s Belfast Community Gospel Choir is a collection of contemporary gospel, CCM, and classic inspirational songs. The group is directed by Marie Lacey, the daughter of gospel singer Margaret Leebody and a soloist herself.
LATEST PICK OF THE WEEK – SINGLES
“After While” Brandon Camphor TOMii Entertainment (release date: June 20, 2025)
“Word” Bishop Darrel Petties & Take 2 Independent (release date: November 14, 2025) By Robert M. Marovich “Word,” a declaration to keep the faith by remembering God’s promises during tough times, is a high-octane workout pinned to a contemporary musical foundation. It has the motive force of a locomotive without brakes. From the first note [...]
It’s been a while since we’ve posted anything on the Soul Messengerz, but “New Jerusalem” gives us that opportunity, even if the song was first introduced by the men about two years ago.
With an old-fashioned gospel quartet name but a style that blends old- and new-school, the Echoaires introduce “I Promised Jesus” with an explosion of sound before the song settles into the quintessential quartet backbeat.
“All Along” Kate Stanford Lucid Artist Management (release date: October 10, 2025)
By Robert Marovich
In A City Called Heaven, gospel announcer and music historian Robert Marovich shines a light on the humble origins of a majestic genre and its indispensable bond to the city where it found its voice: Chicago.
By Robert Marovich
In A City Called Heaven, gospel announcer and music historian Robert Marovich shines a light on the humble origins of a majestic genre and its indispensable bond to the city where it found its voice: Chicago.
By Robert M. Marovich What if your music ministry provided songs for not one church, nor two, nor even three, but hundreds? That’s what King’s Collective does. King’s Collective is the artistic arm of King’s Cathedral & Chapels. From a First Assembly of God church of 100 members in Maui, Hawaii, to planting churches [...]
Christmas spirit filled the air when the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour: Homecoming Edition hit Houston, Texas, on December 2.
Robert M. Marovich Ray Kroc was 52 when he opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in 1955. Col. Harland Sanders was in his 60s when his “Finger Lickin’ Good” Kentucky Fried Chicken became a national sensation. Duncan Hines didn’t license his name for cake mixes until age 73. And Johnny Ray Daniels didn’t release his first [...]
The Journal of Gospel Music was saddened to learn of the passing of quartet singer Jeffrey Newberry on December 14, 2025. He was 69 years old.
The Journal of Gospel Music was saddened to learn of the passing of Ms. Katie Sankey, a gospel singer from the rich sacred singing tradition of Jefferson County, Alabama.
