“You’ve Been Good to Me”Zacardi CortezBlacksmoke Music Worldwide (release date: January 27, 2022) By Robert M. Marovich “You’ve Been Good to Me” is a song with simple lyrics and a singable melody—essentially a chorus and pounding vamp—but it’s the aggressive, hard-charging way in which Zacardi Cortez and his background singers [...]
“The Glory” Mama Tee feat. Awipi & Rume Independent (release date: October 9, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich "The Glory" is the product of an international collaboration between Canada-based songwriter Tolu Adeosun (Mama Tee), Nigerian-based music director and producer Awipi Emmanuel, and singers Rume and Jojo Vocals. Modern gospel singers [...]
“I See a King” The Wood Drake Sessions feat. Liz Vice Independent (release date: January 21, 2022) www.thewooddrakesessions.com By Robert M. Marovich As Christian group The Wood Drake Sessions, Paul Ranheim and Kirk Sauers keep pumping out fine singles. The duo’s latest, “I See a King,” featuring lead vocalist Liz [...]
“The Garden” E. Daniels From the Presence Records CD The Garden (release date: May 2020) www.EDanielsministries.com By Robert M. Marovich While “The Garden” has been out for a while, it is deserving of a second listen, especially in preparation for Easter season. The song defies categorization. While Pastor Ernest E. [...]
“Let God” Eloise https://www.facebook.com/eloise.skief By Robert M. Marovich With “Let God,” Tyler, Texas, gospel singer Eloise Skief, who goes by Eloise, delivers a lovely meditation on the familiar "let go and let God" trope. The sparse piano accompaniment allows Eloise to improvise vocally, though she doesn’t go overboard. In fact, [...]
“On and On” The Collective UG From the C19 Music album The Sound of Revival (release date: December 3, 2021) www.thecollectiveug.com By Robert M. Marovich Though “On and On” is a lovely praise song by the Ugandan worship band Collective UG, it is clearly influenced by American Christian pop music. [...]
“Well Done” Timothy “T.J.” Bouknight Higher Praise Records (2021) By Robert M. Marovich Elder Timothy “T.J.” Bouknight renders the pew-walker “Well Done” like the quartet veteran he is. full videos thejensensplay The song is about the effort it takes to enter the gates of paradise. Bouknight opens "Well Done" with [...]
“A Million Dreams” Laila Adele & One Nation feat. Jonas Engstrom Independent (release date: June 17, 2021) www.onenation.se By Robert M. Marovich For decades, songs from the Broadway stage have been anointed with sacred oil through covers by gospel artists. Among these are “Sunrise Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof [...]
“Covered” Anisa Fowler RNU Records (release date: November 12, 2021) www.anisafowler.com By Robert M. Marovich “Covered” identifies Long Island's Anisa Fowler as an emerging gospel singer-songwriter of note. The melodic ballad, which Fowler co-wrote with Joshua Arnoux, reckons with the anxiety of the times by reminding listeners that no matter [...]
“Troubles Don’t Last Always” Mona Fenner From the forthcoming EMG Alliance album I’m Still Here www.monafenner.com By Robert M. Marovich Encouraging people to keep the faith in the midst of trials and tribulations is something gospel music does better than any other music genre. In many ways, it’s what makes [...]
