“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 [...]
“Free to Worship” – Minister James Willis & Nu Praze
“Free to Worship” Minister James Willis & Nu Praze Independent (release date: February 2020) Available digitally By Bob Marovich “Free to Worship” is a vigorous and robust rhythm and praise piece from award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, and choir director Minister James A. Willis Jr. of Oklahoma City. Taking John 8:36 for [...]
Reba Rambo – Confessions
Reba Rambo Confessions Entertainment One (original release date: 1980; digital release: May 1, 2020) www.rebarambo.com By Bob Marovich Originally released forty years ago, Reba Rambo’s solo album Confessions is getting a redux courtesy of Entertainment One. It's the latest Rambo album to be re-introduced since her 1977 disc, Lady, was [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: April 28, 2020
“Leap of Faith” YimikaSoul From the Yimikasoulfactory CD Leap of Faith (release date: March 20, 2020) By Bob Marovich Houston, Texas singer YimikaSoul opens “Leap of Faith” like a veteran gospel stomper, her voice big and expansive like an evangelist starting a prayer service. From there, she shares the spotlight [...]
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – Chasing Ghosts (EP)
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. Chasing Ghosts (EP) Independent (release date: March 27, 2020) By Bob Marovich Christian hip hop artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. drops unvarnished facts on his new three-track EP Chasing Ghosts. “Never Fail,” the single from the musical appetite whetter, is the finest and most radio-friendly of the three selections. Featuring [...]
“Man from Galilee” – DK. Dru feat. Bishop Rance Allen, Paul Porter, and Chris Byrd & True Victory
“Man From Galilee” DK. Dru feat. Bishop Rance Allen, Paul Porter, and Chris Byrd & True Victory SRT Entertainment (release date: February 7, 2020) By Bob Marovich This celebration of Jesus’s miracles and ode of gratitude for his ultimate sacrifice is an intergenerational pile-on of top-shelf singers—from Bishop Rance Allen [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: April 20, 2020
“We Are Family, We Are Friends” Darius Twyman & Destiny Character Music LLC (release date: February 21, 2020) By Bob Marovich Detroit singer, songwriter, and choir leader Darius Twyman teams up with his longstanding choir, Destiny, for a song with a dual purpose: to encourage global unity and to offer [...]