“I Appreciate You” – Fred Perry & 2nd Generation
“I Appreciate You” Fred Perry & 2nd Generation 3sonzmanagement (release date: April 10, 2020) By Bob Marovich A color photo of the Bolivar, Tennessee, quartet Fred Perry & 2nd Generation being tucked in an envelope fits well with the theme of their single, “I Appreciate You.” It’s a thank you [...]
“God Made It Beautiful” – Jason Clayborn & the Atmosphere Changers
“God Made It Beautiful” Jason Clayborn & the Atmosphere Changers Feat. Daria Raymore Tyscot Records (release date: June 26, 2020) www.tyscot.com By Bob Marovich Dense harmonies and heavy production amp up the drama of “God Made It Beautiful,” but the true power of the song comes from the lead vocalists [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 13, 2020
“Someday” Shirley Murdock feat. Beverly Crawford, Kelly Price and Regina Belle From Live: The Journey (initial release date: 2011; re-released as single: 2020) www.tyscot.com By Bob Marovich Back in 2011, when “Someday” was initially released as part of Shirley Murdock’s Tyscot album Live: The Journey, this is what I had [...]
Lawrence Hancock – Who I Am
Lawrence Hancock Who I Am Bishop Lawrence Hancock (release date: July 24, 2020) By Bob Marovich Amid a kaleidoscope of electronic beats and mostly introspective melodies, Christian hip hop artist Bishop Lawrence Hancock tells you who He is, and who you should be—a Child of God. That’s what you discover [...]
“Cast Your Cares” – James Cutts
“Cast Your Cares” James Cutts (release date: July 10, 2020) By Bob Marovich Pastor James Cutts knows whereof he sings. Both he and his wife are on the road to recovery from COVID-19. This experience made Cutts’ new single, the bright and buoyant “Cast Your Cares,” all the more relevant. [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: July 7, 2020
“Heal the Brokenness” Mietta Stancil Farrar & Tehillah From the CD The Greatness of God (original release date: 2013) By Bob Marovich Many gospel songs feel as if they were written about current times. Although Mietta Stancil Farrar & Tehillah of Paterson, New Jersey, initially released “Heal the Brokenness” seven [...]
“God is Good” – Ethan Kent
“God is Good” Ethan Kent Feat. Ryan Brockington, Arie & Eme & Tamerick Brazzell Tonic Blueprint LLC (release date: June 12, 2020) http://ethankentonline.com/ By Bob Marovich During times like these, Ethan Kent’s declaration that “Life ain’t always fair but God is good” is critical to keep close to the heart. [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 29, 2020
“Another Chance” The McDuffies McDuffie’s Music Group (release date: March 13, 2020) By Bob Marovich The McDuffies’ single, “Another Chance,” is bittersweet. In this unhurried quartet ballad, lead vocalist Ricky McDuffie sings about the times that God “looked beyond his faults” to bestow upon him another chance, even when he [...]
Myron Butler – My Tribute
Myron Butler My Tribute Fair Trade / Columbia / Red Alliance Media (release date: June 26, 2020) By Bob Marovich Together with several of today's top-flight gospel artists, singer-songwriter Myron Butler pays homage to one of his chief inspirations, Andrae’ Crouch, with a feature-filled album called My Tribute. All but [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 22, 2020
“On and On” Darius Paulk feat. Janae Slack-Smith From the AIR / Malaco CD Strong (release date: February 20, 2020) www.malaco.com By Bob Marovich Although the uncomplicated worship ballad “On and On” has a decided pop flavor, the harmonica and pedal steel give it a contemporary country vibe. The single [...]
The Chosen Wonders – I Know a Man
The Chosen Wonders I Know a Man Independent (release date: October 15, 2019) By Bob Marovich The Chosen Wonders, a gospel quartet from Central California, refashions a few gospel chestnuts for their seven-selection mini-album, I Know a Man. For example, the title track is a contemporary harmony version of Brother [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 15, 2020
“Be Alright”Dexter Walker & Zion MovementIntersound (release date: May 29, 2020) By Bob Marovich It's hard to believe, but on "Be Alright," the award-winning Chicago gospel choir Dexter Walker & Zion Movement moved the needle on its effervescence-o-meter, already at fever pitch, further to the right. The song's message is [...]
“Lift the Savior” – AJ Collier & the Band of Believers
“Lift the Savior” AJ Collier and the Band of Believers Believers Band Music Group https://www.ajcbob.com/ By Bob Marovich Here's some Sunday morning old-school church music from AJ Collier and the Band of Believers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Lift the Savior” raises its praise with hand clapping, full-throttle musicianship, open-throated choral chords, [...]
“Everyday” – K-Anthony
“Everyday” K-Anthony K-Anthony Music (release date: May 15, 2020) www.kanthonylive.com By Bob Marovich Expressions of worship come in many forms. Some are clothed in hymnody, others in straight-outta-church gospel, and yet others in flourishes of pop. “Everyday” is the latter. Christian singer K-Anthony coats this explosion of joy in a [...]
JGM Pick of the Week: June 9, 2020
“Stand On His Promises” Tamika Patton feat. Pastor Korey Mickie (release date: May 22, 2020) www.TamikaPattonMusic.com By Bob Marovich Philadelphia native and fiery gospel singer Tamika Patton sings the stuffing out of this double-time church wrecker that encourages those who “stumble and fall” to keep going, “lean on the Lord,” [...]
Dawn Thomas Wallace – Live in Luxembourg
Dawn Thomas Wallace Live in Luxembourg Zoe Records (release date: 2020) By Bob Marovich UK Christian singer Dawn Thomas Wallace deserves major props for pulling on classics from the contemporary gospel canon for Live in Luxembourg. Recorded before a polite but appreciative audience at Luxembourg’s Oasis Church of God (Pastor [...]
“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 [...]
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