“The Sound of Revival” – Edwrin Sutton
“The Sound of Revival” Edwrin Sutton From the Black Smoke Music Worldwide CD The Revival (release date: May 8, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Gospel singer-songwriter Edwrin Sutton sets the nineteenth-century Presbyterian hymn “Revive Us Again” to a contemporary rhythmic call-and-response motive between him and his troupe of background singers. [...]
Jason Clayborn & the Atmosphere Changers – God Made It Beautiful
Jason Clayborn & the Atmosphere Changers God Made It Beautiful Tyscot / JayClay Music (release date: April 16, 2021) www.tyscot.com By Robert M. Marovich It is a pleasant surprise to hear a gospel album open not with the usual jarring sonic blast but with the gentle notes of a piano [...]
“You Are” – Byron Cage
“You Are” Byron Cage AIR / Malaco Music Group www.malaco.com By Robert M. Marovich Stellar Award-winning “Prince of Praise” Byron Cage delivers his latest single, “You Are,” a conventional mid-tempo P&W. Cage alternates between singing and incrementally thunderous exhorting as the background singers keep the song moving forward. While the [...]
“With Thee I Wed” – Curtis Fondren feat. Desmond Pringle and Felicia Coleman-Evans
“With Thee I Wed (The Wedding Song)” Curtis Fondren feat. Desmond Pringle & Felicia Coleman-Evans Independent (release date: June 18, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Longtime Chicago gospel musician Curtis Fondren offers something for the wedding trade in “With Thee I Wed.” This '80s-esque slow jam evokes the tracks on [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 21, 2021
“Heavenly”TaMyya JFrom the MM Music Group CD Love for Your Namehttps://tamyya-j.com/ By Robert M. Marovich “Heavenly” is the type of contemporary gospel song you swear you’ve heard before, which means it’s a solid record. Former Mary Mary background singer TaMyya J, who has already posted some singles on the Billboard [...]
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” – Brandon Camphor & OneWay
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" Brandon Camphor & OneWay The OneWay Movement (release date: June 4, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Washington, DC metro-based gospel vocal ensemble Brandon Camphor & OneWay (BC1Way) has released this brief but transcendent version of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" in honor of Black Music [...]
Pastor E. Dewey Smith Releases “Your Presence is a Gift”
Sponsored Post: E. Dewey Smith, Senior Pastor of the House of Hope in Georgia, is a prolific teacher, community leader, and graduate of Morehouse College. He has been a tremendous force in the community. Through his three Georgia House of Hope locations (Atlanta, Macon, and WestPointe), Smith has continually been [...]
“Spirit Tell Me” – Cecily
“Spirit Tell Me” Cecily Harmonious Grits LLC (release date: November 11, 2020) www.cecilymusic.com By Robert M. Marovich More of a quiet storm R&B song than a gospel tune in feel though not in lyric, “Spirit Tell Me” explores the anxiety felt in the midst of trouble, and the confidence that [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 14, 2021
“Thank You”Rufus JohnsonMiddle Boy Media (release date: July 19, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich Rufus Johnson, a native of Richmond, Virginia, expresses his gratitude to God on “Thank You” with a pocketful of shoulder-shaking beats and an R&B melody that is as fresh as right now. Johnson’s gratefulness for making [...]
“In Jesus’ Name” – BeBe Winans
“In Jesus’ Name” BeBe Winans From the Malaco Music Group / Regimen Records CD Need You www.malaco.com By Robert M. Marovich A repetitive riff played on an old upright piano drives a swaying gospel waltz tempo on BeBe Winans’ latest single, “In Jesus’ Name.” To a sing-song melody, the song [...]
“All I Am” – Taushey Sias
“All I Am” Taushey Sias (release date: June 24, 2019) http://booktaushey.com/ Besides being a song of praise written in the wake of a devastating fire that left singer Taushey Sias temporarily homeless, “All I Am” has a delicate and fascinating melody made all the more richer by Sias’ elastic but [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 8, 2021
“New Orleans Medley” Jerard and Jovaun Independent (release date: December 4, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich Yes, this single came out late last year and yes, whatever vestiges of Mardi Gras that were able to take place this year are but a memory, but nevertheless, the “New Orleans Medley” conjures [...]
“God Has Been So Good” – MYDASON feat. Bishop Rance Allen
“God Has Been So Good” MYDASON feat. Bishop Rance Allen Brainstorm Music Company (release date: October 18, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich Bishop Rance Allen may be gone in body but his music lives on. On “God Has Been So Good,” he joins MYDASON at the lead mike, singing, shouting, [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 31, 2021
“I Am With You” Tameka Ferebee Tameka Ferebee Productions (release date: February 12, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Gospel singer-songwriter Tameka Ferebee’s “I Am With You” is a melodic evocation of the parental love that God has for each of us. The lyrics are written from God’s point of view, [...]
“Amazing Grace” – The McCrary Sisters
“Amazing Grace” The McCrary Sisters McCrary Sisters Productions (release date: April 30, 2021) www.mccrarysisters.com By Robert M. Marovich Only the McCrary Sisters, who could sing the phone book (remember those?) into the gospel charts, could pull off “Amazing Grace” sung to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.” Except, [...]
“Diamond” – Emilia Walasik
“Diamond” Emilia Walasik (release date: May 13, 2021) www.emiliawalasikmusic.com By Robert M. Marovich Christian singer-songwriter Emilia Walasik could be my sister from another mother. Like me, she was raised Catholic, is from Chicago, possibly also Polish-American, writes songs, has served as a worship leader, and is drawn to the emotionality [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 25, 2021
“Nothin’ but the Spirit” Lisa Bellamy From the Nspyre Music Group International EP What Will it Take (release date: January 22, 2021) https://nspyremusicgroupinternational.com/ By Robert M. Marovich Lisa Bellamy’s self-penned single “Nothin’ but the Spirit” is a cross between gospel and quiet storm R&B. On this slow and thoughtful ballad, [...]
“Into This Place” – Bradie Frink & Ordinary People
“Into This Place” Bradie Frink & Ordinary People www.bfop.vision By Robert M. Marovich “Into This Place” is an antidote for the sameness of much P&W music. This lovely, liquid praise ballad, set in a minor key, benefits from a tender lead feature from Terrell Carter and sumptuous harmonies from Bradie [...]