Mali Music – The Book of Mali
Mali Music The Book of Mali RCA Inspiration (release date: August 14, 2020) www.rcainspiration.com By Bob Marovich The Book of Mali is aptly titled. Mali Music’s fifth album, released in a partnership between his own imprint, K Approved Enterprises, and RCA Inspiration, is a study in self-awareness. Much of the [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: August 3, 2020
“God’s Power” Minister John Taylor Jr. John Jr. Gospel Productions, Inc. By Bob Marovich Minister John Taylor Jr. recorded this song in 2016, but it sounds as if it was recorded 50 years earlier. “God’s Power” is a reassurance to all those who are sick, especially Taylor’s mother, whose illness [...]
Elder Arlester Washington & the Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir – Thank You
Elder Arlester Washington & The Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir Thank You Time Now Records (2020) By Bob Marovich On the morning of April 9, 2019, Elder Arlester Washington was involved in a two-car accident that claimed his life. The tragedy devastated Lexington, Kentucky’s Now Faith Worship Center, where Washington [...]
All Nations Music – Come Alive (EP)
All Nations Music Come Alive EP RCA Inspiration (release date: July 3, 2020) www.rcainspiration.com By Bob Marovich Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III needn’t worry about his sacred music bona fides. Stevenson's great-grandfather was the Reverend Elijah Thurston, founder of Chicago’s historic 44th Street Baptist Church, which produced many pioneering gospel [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 27, 2020
“Jesus, Let Us Be One” Roscoe Robinson Savoy Records (original release date: March 1983, reissue 2020) By Bob Marovich “Problems all around us, everyone has an answer,” Roscoe Robinson rues. Seeking the true solution, the gospel and soul singing star not only reaches back for the Word, he also reaches [...]
“Love” – Donnell Russell & Free Worship
“Love” Donnell Russell & Free Worship feat. Jai Reed, Tonya Boyd Cannon, Cory Ricks & Caren Green The Rite Note Ent. (release date: June 5, 2020) www.donnellrussell.com By Bob Marovich Donnell Russell & Free Worship’s “Love” is a crossover single in lyric and melody. To a quiet storm R&B arrangement, [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 20, 2020
“Waiting On You” Dominique Johnson feat. Ernest J. Lee David's Dance Music (release date: June 16, 2020) By Bob Marovich Chicago’s Dominique Johnson is a singer, songwriter, and musician whose online videos have garnered more than four million views. Dominique’s debut single, “Waiting On You,” is her affirmation that brokenness [...]
Nashville Life Music – Here for Jesus
Nashville Life Music Here for Jesus Integrity Music (release date: July 17, 2020) www.nashvillelifemusic.com By Bob Marovich Nashville Life Music follows up last year’s Taylor House Sessions EP with even more delightful selections on its debut full-length album, Here for Jesus. Nashville Life Music is a young multicultural choir/group out [...]
“I Appreciate You” – Fred Perry & 2nd Generation
“I Appreciate You” Fred Perry & 2nd Generation 3sonzmanagement (release date: April 10, 2020) By Bob Marovich A color photo of the Bolivar, Tennessee, quartet Fred Perry & 2nd Generation being tucked in an envelope fits well with the theme of their single, “I Appreciate You.” It’s a thank you [...]
“God Made It Beautiful” – Jason Clayborn & the Atmosphere Changers
“God Made It Beautiful” Jason Clayborn & the Atmosphere Changers Feat. Daria Raymore Tyscot Records (release date: June 26, 2020) www.tyscot.com By Bob Marovich Dense harmonies and heavy production amp up the drama of “God Made It Beautiful,” but the true power of the song comes from the lead vocalists [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 13, 2020
“Someday” Shirley Murdock feat. Beverly Crawford, Kelly Price and Regina Belle From Live: The Journey (initial release date: 2011; re-released as single: 2020) www.tyscot.com By Bob Marovich Back in 2011, when “Someday” was initially released as part of Shirley Murdock’s Tyscot album Live: The Journey, this is what I had [...]
Lawrence Hancock – Who I Am
Lawrence Hancock Who I Am Bishop Lawrence Hancock (release date: July 24, 2020) By Bob Marovich Amid a kaleidoscope of electronic beats and mostly introspective melodies, Christian hip hop artist Bishop Lawrence Hancock tells you who He is, and who you should be—a Child of God. That’s what you discover [...]
“Cast Your Cares” – James Cutts
“Cast Your Cares” James Cutts (release date: July 10, 2020) By Bob Marovich Pastor James Cutts knows whereof he sings. Both he and his wife are on the road to recovery from COVID-19. This experience made Cutts’ new single, the bright and buoyant “Cast Your Cares,” all the more relevant. [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 7, 2020
“Heal the Brokenness” Mietta Stancil Farrar & Tehillah From the CD The Greatness of God (original release date: 2013) By Bob Marovich Many gospel songs feel as if they were written about current times. Although Mietta Stancil Farrar & Tehillah of Paterson, New Jersey, initially released “Heal the Brokenness” seven [...]
“God is Good” – Ethan Kent
“God is Good” Ethan Kent Feat. Ryan Brockington, Arie & Eme & Tamerick Brazzell Tonic Blueprint LLC (release date: June 12, 2020) http://ethankentonline.com/ By Bob Marovich During times like these, Ethan Kent’s declaration that “Life ain’t always fair but God is good” is critical to keep close to the heart. [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 29, 2020
“Another Chance” The McDuffies McDuffie’s Music Group (release date: March 13, 2020) By Bob Marovich The McDuffies’ single, “Another Chance,” is bittersweet. In this unhurried quartet ballad, lead vocalist Ricky McDuffie sings about the times that God “looked beyond his faults” to bestow upon him another chance, even when he [...]
Myron Butler – My Tribute
Myron Butler My Tribute Fair Trade / Columbia / Red Alliance Media (release date: June 26, 2020) By Bob Marovich Together with several of today's top-flight gospel artists, singer-songwriter Myron Butler pays homage to one of his chief inspirations, Andrae’ Crouch, with a feature-filled album called My Tribute. All but [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 22, 2020
“On and On” Darius Paulk feat. Janae Slack-Smith From the AIR / Malaco CD Strong (release date: February 20, 2020) www.malaco.com By Bob Marovich Although the uncomplicated worship ballad “On and On” has a decided pop flavor, the harmonica and pedal steel give it a contemporary country vibe. The single [...]