“Number One King”
Annie & the Caldwells
Ekco Records (release date: September 18, 2026)
By Robert M. Marovich
For those who think Annie & the Caldwells is a new artist, think again. The family group from West Point, Mississippi, has been recording for more than a decade. Annie, once a member of the Staples Jr. Singers, has been in music ministry for fifty years. Annie & the Caldwells hit the mainstream in 2025, appearing in the British music magazine Mojo’s Best Of list for their Luaka Bop album, Can’t Lose My (Soul).
The group’s latest release, “Number One King,” features decent enough singing but the song itself lacks the immediacy that distinguished the selections on Can’t Lose My (Soul) such as “I Made It,” and drew broad attention to the group. Ironically, by trying to fit in with typical gospel radio fare, the track gave up that authenticity that brought the group this far.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
