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 [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 29, 2021
“Your Presence is a Gift” E. Dewey Smith Pebble Street Records (release date: March 5, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich If Dr. E. Dewey Smith, senior pastor of the House of Hope in Georgia, wanted to come out of the chute with just the right solo debut single, he could [...]
“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 [...]
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