“I’m Not Tired Yet…Running for Jesus” – Calvin Bridges ft. Ann Bridges
“I’m Not Tired Yet…Running for Jesus” Calvin Bridges ft. Ann Bridges From the PNEUMA/Spirit Recordings, Inc. CD Gospel Church Generations (single release date: February 2, 2021) www.calvinbridges.org By Robert M. Marovich Although he is a talented songwriter, Calvin Bridges reaches back to the Caravans catalog for an oldie but goodie. [...]
Travis Greene – Oil & Water
Travis Greene Oil & Water RCA Inspiration (release date: August 20, 2021) www.rcainspiration.com By Robert M. Marovich Listening to Travis Greene’s Oil & Water reminds me of a quote ascribed to hymnist John Newton: “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: August 9, 2021
“Amazing” Pastor Mike Jr. Blacksmoke Music Worldwide (release date: July 30, 2021) www.pastormikejr.com By Robert M. Marovich Pastor Mike McClure Jr., better known as Pastor Mike Jr., the 2021 Stellar Awards Artist of the Year and gospel music's current It Guy, cleverly gospelizes Gnarls Barkley’s 2006 smash hit “Crazy” as [...]
“People of Light” – Ritasoul
“People of Light” Ritasoul A4 Music Records (release date: June 8, 2021) http://www.praisecamp.com.ng By Robert M. Marovich From time to time, JGM likes to find interesting songs from Africa, where gospel music is vibrant, and present them here. “People of Light” is one. This beautifully-produced and stirring anthem calls on [...]
Dottie Rambo – It’s the Soul of Me (remastered)
Dottie Rambo It’s the Soul of Me (remastered) Original release: Heart Warming Records 1968 Provident Distribution/Sony Music (release date: July 30, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich In the year the Recording Academy introduced the Grammy Award category for Best Soul Gospel Performance, the nominees were the Swan Silvertones, the Staple [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: August 2, 2021
“Still Faithful” Christina Bell feat. Fred Hammond From the Malaco Music Group CD Still Faithful (release date: July 30, 2021) www.malaco.com By Robert M. Marovich With or without assistance from gospel legend Fred Hammond, “Still Faithful” is former Z'iel member Christina Bell’s best solo single yet. To a lilting melody, [...]
Various Artists – Gospel Songs by Lee Hawkins, Volume One
Various Artists Gospel Songs by Lee Hawkins, Volume One Devine Jamz (release date: July 2021) www.devinejamz.net By Robert M. Marovich Here’s something you don’t see that often: an “…and then I wrote” compilation of gospel and praise & worship songs. Produced, arranged, and composed by award-winning songwriter Lee Hawkins, by [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 26, 2021
“It’s Time” Mary Glover Independent (released October 20, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich In tone, tempo, and message, Mary Glover’s “It’s Time” commands people to snap out of it, get right, act right, and be joyful in the Lord. Glover’s sassy and declarative alto, honed in the community of quartet [...]
“Begin Again” – Tevis Harris & faVor
“Begin Again” Tevis Harris & faVor (release date: January 11, 2021) www.tevisharris.com By Robert M. Marovich “Begin Again” by Dr. Tevis Harris and faVor is a lovely song with a message that is inspirational but also steeped in Scripture. The melody and arrangement have an easy, heart-tugging 1980s Peabo Bryson [...]
“Be With Me” – Pastor Darren A. Farmer Sr.
“Be With Me” Pastor Darren A. Farmer Sr. From Pastor Darren Farmer presents The Upper Room Apostolic Church Experience, Volume 3 By Robert M. Marovich Pastor Darren A. Farmer Sr., leader of the Upper Room Apostolic Cathedral prefaces “Be With Me” by dedicating it to the late Jason Tomlinson, whose [...]
Reba Rambo – Lady Live (Digital Reissue)
Reba Rambo Lady Live Entertainment One (original release: 1982; reissue: July 30, 2021) www.rebarambo.com By Robert M. Marovich In June 1981, just months after winning her first Grammy for co-writing and performing on an all-star gospel album called The Lord’s Prayer, Christian singing star Reba Rambo appeared at the Anaheim [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 19, 2021
“I’d Rather Have Jesus” True Believers Malaco Music Group / 4 Winds (release date: June 23, 2021) www.malaco.com By Robert M. Marovich From the opening vocal harmony riff and the incessant piano triplets to the ultra-soulful lead vocals by Castro Coleman, “I’d Rather Have Jesus” sounds like a 1960s soul [...]
“Survivor” – Mika Morrow
“Survivor” Mika Morrow Cardo Morrow Records (release date: April 30, 2021) www.MikaMorrowMusic.com By Robert M. Marovich “Survivor,” the new single from singer-songwriter Tamika (Mika) Morrow, has a message for these times: no matter what you’re going through, you’re still here because God made you strong. Pop inflections permeate this song, [...]
“Thank You” – Felica Welch
“Thank You” Felica Welch D’MAKK Entertainment (release date: May 29, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Veteran Chicago Mass Choir alumna Felica Welch debuts “Thank You,” her new single under the D’MAKK Entertainment imprint. Welch gives this well-produced and lovely ballad of gratitude an even-handed reading, her pleasant and melodic voice [...]
“Jesus Cares” – Leporia Logan
“Jesus Cares”Leporia LoganGodSent Music Group (2021)www.iamhollywoodlogan.com By Robert M. Marovich As “Hollywood” Logan, Leporia Logan was a member of the world-famous Drifters, entertaining audiences with classic vocal harmony renditions of “Under the Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof,” and “Stand By Me.” Prior to that, however, Logan was a gospel singer [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 5, 2021
“Ain’t Nobody Like Jesus” Ron Rawls Red Torch Music (release date: June 15, 2021) www.rawlsmusic.com By Robert M. Marovich Ron Rawls may be best known as the music director for Christian artist Mandisa; he worked on her Grammy and Dove Award-winning album, Overcomer (2013). On “Ain’t Nobody Like Jesus,” a [...]
“America Bless God” – Bonita Burney Simmons
“America Bless God” Bonita Burney Simmons Independent (release date: January 7, 2021) www.bonitaburneysimmons.com By Robert M. Marovich In the introduction to “America Bless God,” the award-winning North Carolina gospel singer Bonita Burney Simmons offers an invitation to worship by quoting the patriotic anthem written by Irving Berlin in 1938, but [...]
“Doing It For Jesus” – P.U.S.H.
“Doing It For Jesus” P.U.S.H. Independent (release date: May 28, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich The female quartet P.U.S.H. from Alexander City, Alabama, returns with a pleasant mid-tempo song that essentially serves as the ladies' collective mission statement. Once you move past the nearly thirty-second intro, you get that straightforward [...]
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