“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 [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 17, 2021
“He’s Working on Me” The McDuffies feat. Bishop Darrell McFadden From the Ruffboyzmusic Group LLC album The Legacy Continues (album release date: January 15, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich The McDuffies salute the memory of their brother Ricky McDuffie with a new album and single. The single, “He’s Working on [...]
“I’ve Got the Victory” – Na’kaja Reed
“I’ve Got the Victory” Na’kaja Reed DAF Entertainment Group (release date: April 30, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich This song has the goods not so much because of the song itself—a fairly conventional gush of gratitude for God’s goodness—as for the commanding delivery of gospel singer Na’kaja Reed. From Saginaw, [...]
Derrick “Doc” Pearson – A Family Man
Derrick “Doc” Pearson A Family Man I AM Music Company (release date: May 7, 2021) www.iammusiccompany.com By Robert M. Marovich Bassist, arranger, and songwriter Derrick “Doc” Pearson has graced the e-pages of JGM in the past with inspirational smooth jazz projects such as 2018’s I Still Do: Songs for a [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 10, 2021
“He’s Way Ahead of You” Denita Gibbs DGW Entertainment (release date: March 6, 2021) www.denitagibbs.com By Robert M. Marovich Now THIS is the Denita Gibbs I remember from her 2013 CD, Without You. The Birmingham, Alabama, native’s declarative vocals on “He’s Way Ahead of You” are locked in from the [...]
“My Help” – Angela Moss Poole feat. Micah Stampley
“My Help” Angela Moss Poole feat. Micah Stampley 141st Lane Music/DarkChild Gospel www.angelamosspoole.com By Robert M. Marovich Singer-songwriter Angela Moss Poole puts one of her favorite Scriptures, Psalm 121, to music, and invites gospel crooner Micah Stampley along for the journey. The message is simple, the melody is appealing, and [...]
“He’ll Be There” – RiZen
“He’ll Be There” RiZen DAF Entertainment Group / Tyscot By Robert M. Marovich Although Adriann Lewis-Freeman has carved out a solo career, it’s been a few years since the Stellar Award-winning RiZen vocal group has come together to release a new single. The drought is over with “He’ll Be There.” [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: May 3, 2021
“Be Alright” Friends aka Anointed Friends Thompson Records (release date: March 15, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich In “Be Alright,” the female quartet Friends (aka Anointed Friends) deliver a simple song of reassurance and encouragement to a driving countrified beat. The ladies pepper their lyrics with familiar church aphorisms (e.g., [...]
“I Am Black and I Matter” – Lemmie Battles
“I Am Black and I Matter” Lemmie Battles DAF Entertainment Group (release date: March 26, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich Since June 2020, there’s been a notable increase in gospel artists releasing singles with messages linked directly to Black Lives Matter and the racial injustice running rampant through the nation [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: April 26, 2021
“Come (Broken, Scarred)” Mary Ozaraga Independent (release date: January 3, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich There’s an orchestral ambience to Christian singer-songwriter Mary Ozaraga’s first single release, “Come (Broken, Scarred).” Ozaraga’s guitar emits droplets of notes as drums thump like marching feet and synthesized sounds float gently above the singer [...]