The Chosen Wonders – I Know a Man
The Chosen Wonders I Know a Man Independent (release date: October 15, 2019) By Bob Marovich The Chosen Wonders, a gospel quartet from Central California, refashions a few gospel chestnuts for their seven-selection mini-album, I Know a Man. For example, the title track is a contemporary harmony version of Brother [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 15, 2020
“Be Alright”Dexter Walker & Zion MovementIntersound (release date: May 29, 2020) By Bob Marovich It's hard to believe, but on "Be Alright," the award-winning Chicago gospel choir Dexter Walker & Zion Movement moved the needle on its effervescence-o-meter, already at fever pitch, further to the right. The song's message is [...]
“Lift the Savior” – AJ Collier & the Band of Believers
“Lift the Savior” AJ Collier and the Band of Believers Believers Band Music Group https://www.ajcbob.com/ By Bob Marovich Here's some Sunday morning old-school church music from AJ Collier and the Band of Believers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Lift the Savior” raises its praise with hand clapping, full-throttle musicianship, open-throated choral chords, [...]
“Everyday” – K-Anthony
“Everyday” K-Anthony K-Anthony Music (release date: May 15, 2020) www.kanthonylive.com By Bob Marovich Expressions of worship come in many forms. Some are clothed in hymnody, others in straight-outta-church gospel, and yet others in flourishes of pop. “Everyday” is the latter. Christian singer K-Anthony coats this explosion of joy in a [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 9, 2020
“Stand On His Promises” Tamika Patton feat. Pastor Korey Mickie (release date: May 22, 2020) www.TamikaPattonMusic.com By Bob Marovich Philadelphia native and fiery gospel singer Tamika Patton sings the stuffing out of this double-time church wrecker that encourages those who “stumble and fall” to keep going, “lean on the Lord,” [...]
Dawn Thomas Wallace – Live in Luxembourg
Dawn Thomas Wallace Live in Luxembourg Zoe Records (release date: 2020) By Bob Marovich UK Christian singer Dawn Thomas Wallace deserves major props for pulling on classics from the contemporary gospel canon for Live in Luxembourg. Recorded before a polite but appreciative audience at Luxembourg’s Oasis Church of God (Pastor [...]
“Follow” – Marshalee
“Follow” Marshalee Praise Nation (original release date: 2015, re-release date: 2020) By Bob Marovich Christian singer-songwriter Marshalee Ellis-Kehlhem co-wrote with Jeff Pardo this breezy anthem about walking into her destiny by following Jesus, even if it requires climbing high mountains. That’s the price of discipleship. A touch of her Jamaican [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 1, 2020
“A Charge”Desmond Roberson & the Roberson BunchFrom the 3 Sonz Records Here’s the Story(release date: May 22, 2020) By Bob Marovich Don’t let the amusing Brady Bunch-like cover fool you. There’s some serious singing on “A Charge,” from Desmond Roberson & the Roberson Bunch. It is an exhilarating Pentecostal-meets-quartet take [...]
“Everything Will Be Alright” – Geneatha Wright
“Everything Will Be Alright”Geneatha WrightGodfather Records (original release: 2013; re-release 2020) By Bob Marovich "Everything Will Be Alright” is a soulful gospel song of hope and encouragement, released originally in 2013, by a family that has known more than its share of tragedy. Pastor David Wright wrote this song for [...]
Look to the Hills – Rev. Luther Barnes & the Restoration Worship Center Choir
Rev. Luther Barnes & the Restoration Worship Center Choir Look to the Hills Shanachie Entertainment / SRT Entertainment (release date: May 29, 2020) www.shanachie.com By Bob Marovich Listening to the title track and lead single of Reverend Luther Barnes’ latest album, I revisited a thought I’ve had for some time: [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 25, 2020
“I’ll Serve Him” Ken Heath & the True Disciples Keep Hope Music (release date: March 20, 2020) By Bob Marovich The latest single by the Richmond, Virginia-based quartet Ken Heath & the True Disciples rolls along on a simple message about discipleship and the blood of Jesus that has kept [...]
“Meet Me Where I’m At” – Trampolines
“Meet Me Where I’m At” Trampolines (release date: April 22, 2020) By Bob Marovich Bristling with hip hop beats and bubbly blasts of EDM, “Meet Me Where I’m At” is a pleading prayer from a troubled disciple who seeks God’s guidance and love, only to discover that both are anywhere [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 18, 2020
“He Made a Way for Me” New Christianaires Carter Classic (2020) www.newchristianaires.com By Bob Marovich The New Christianaires’ single “He Made a Way for Me” has all the quartet goods: an old school up-tempo beat, plenty of call-and-response singing between the lead vocalist and the group, high-octane shouting, and a [...]
Frye Family Band – Things Unseen
Frye Family Band Things Unseen Oubache Music (release date: 2020) www.FryeFamilyBand.com By Bob Marovich Family bands in Christian music are ubiquitous and have been since the beginning of the genre. Think of the Rambos, the Gaithers, the Goodmans, the Whites, the Crabbs, and on and on. Another is the Frye [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 11, 2020
“Better Days” Joe Daccache Independent (release date: April 3, 2020) By Bob Marovich “Better Days” is a pop-styled song with an inspirational message from Joe Daccache. A thumping beat with swatches of warbling organ, plunky piano, hand claps, and flourishes of brass give the impression of being in the church [...]
Kierra Sheard – Kierra
Kierra Sheard Kierra Karew Records & Entertainment / Provident Label Group / RCA Inspiration (release date: April 17, 2020) www.rcainspiration.com By Bob Marovich In a scene from the LIFETIME biopic The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark stands before top officials of the Church of God [...]
“Heal Our Land” – Kassandra McGhee
“Heal Our Land” Kassandra McGhee (release date: April 2020) http://www.kassandramcghee.com By Bob Marovich On her new single, “Heal Our Land,” Chicagoland-based singer-songwriter Kassandra McGhee takes for her text 2 Chronicles 7:14. Without mentioning the pandemic once, you know instinctively that this gentle, acoustic ballad is a prayer for global healing [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 4, 2020
“Keep Running” Jimmy Hicks feat. Diana Hicks Blacksmoke Music Worldwide By Bob Marovich Jimmy Hicks has a knack for making his singles feel as if they have one foot in the church and the other on the musical stage. “Born Blessed,” “Blessed Like That,” and “God’s Got It” are just [...]
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