“Grateful” Earnest Pugh Blacksmoke Music Worldwide (2022) By Robert M. Marovich Earnest Pugh’s current single, “Grateful,” is a gently swaying ballad of thanksgiving for Christ’s love, expressed most ardently in his sacrifice for all humanity. Pugh and his background vocalists riff on the “you didn’t have to do it but you did” trope. The song’s [...]

“Highest Praise” Terry Fuller Project ft. Justin Mickens Independent (release date: June 24, 2021) https://www.tjmusicgroup.com/ By Robert M. Marovich Accented by rhythmic foot thumps, Terry Fuller Project’s “Highest Praise” is a joyful selection that will set listeners to handclapping and foot tapping. Lead singer Justin Mickens handles vocals like the effervescent quartet lead he is [...]

“All of My Help” The Dedicated Souls Elite and Creative Music Productions By Robert M. Marovich If “All of My Help” by the Ohio-based Dedicated Souls sounds like a Canton Spirituals track, it’s because it was written, produced, and is led by the Canton Spirituals’ own Antoine Porter. The message is clear: when you try [...]

“You’ve Been Good to Me”Zacardi CortezBlacksmoke Music Worldwide (release date: January 27, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich “You’ve Been Good to Me” is a song with simple lyrics and a singable melody—essentially a chorus and pounding vamp—but it’s the aggressive, hard-charging way in which Zacardi Cortez and his background singers render it that brings the [...]

“Peace Be Still” Kelontae Gavin Malaco Music Group (release date: January 20, 2022) www.malaco.com By Robert M. Marovich At the Malaco Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration in Jackson, Mississippi, gospel soloist Kelontae Gavin put his own melismatic touch on “Peace Be Still.” It’s from the CD and DVD chronicling the Fiftieth Anniversary concert, where today’s gospel artists [...]