Episode 162 Playlist God’s got his eyes on you – Dedicated Men of Zion Walk in the spirit – Ellen Hayes Jesus – Yael Hilton I see a king – The Wood Drake Sessions ft. Liz Vice Like this – Jamaal Miller Cry for your soul – Angelo & Veronica I do, don’t you – Kergyma Community Choir It was you – Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson Peace be still – Kelontae Gavin The glory – Mama Tee ft. Awipi and Rume You’ve been good to me – Zacardi Cortez Someday we’ll meet – Bill Moss & BME State Choir ft. Carolyn ...

“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 render it that brings the live recording audience within a hair’s breadth of a praise break. Among the blessings Cortez identifies are those that rescued him from depression and from suicide ideation. “Have you ever been there?” he asks the congregation then turns back to his praise. “When I almost ...

Episode 159 Playlist I’d rather have Jesus – Quinten Simon Be alright – God’s Children Open up the windows of Heaven – Lucinda Marie Wonderful – Kim Person Waves – Strong Tower Church feat. Maurette Brown Clark Hallelujah – Gail Stewart & Prayz4 feat. Zacardi Cortez God kept me – Beau Williams Come home – Darius Droc Jackson So much to thank God for – New Macedonia M.B. Church Mass Choir feat. Betty Griffin Keller I’ll meet you – Canton Spirituals Leave it at the cross – Jenn Bostic Peace pilgrims prayer – Harriet Fraser Come Sunday – Trineice Robinson ...

Gail Stewart & Prayz4 Self-titled Independent (release date: July 12, 2017) By Robert M. Marovich What is immediately evident about the self-titled CD by the Texas-based family gospel group Gail Stewart & Prayz4 is its emphasis on modernizing traditional hymns and gospels. For example, the group gives the nineteenth-century hymn “I Need Thee” a mid-tempo R&B treatment, complete with bongos and snarling guitar, while Gail’s breathy soprano directs the rest of the singers toward a bluesy vamp. “Where He Leads Me” bathes the basic premise of the original hymn in a cornucopia of sounds, melodies, and new lyrics sufficient to ...

Various Artists Kerry Douglas Gospel Mix Christmas Blacksmoke Music Worldwide (release date: November 5, 2021) By Robert M. Marovich It’s that time again—Christmas songs and albums are hitting music reviewers’ inboxes. Among the earliest is a Kerry Douglas holiday celebration, an extension of his popular and longstanding Gospel Mix franchise into the Yuletide trade. Co-produced by Chicago’s own Gregory Gay, the project offers up new and familiar Christmas songs by artists signed to Douglas’s Blacksmoke Music Worldwide. The album’s best tracks are gospel arrangements of classic Christmas carols and songs. For example, powerhouse vocalist Monica Lisa Stevenson renders “Have Yourself ...

For Immediate Release (Houston, Texas) The music community is mourning the loss of a Gospel music legend with the passing of Shawn McLemore after an extended illness. “Shawn was a great spirit with enormous talent and personality to match”, says Blacksmoke Music Worldwide CEO Kerry Douglas. “To see him take the stage and have absolute command of the room was just magic. He was genuine, he had a great sense of humor and when he sang, God listened. Shawn was a gift to us and he will surely be missed.” Life began for Shawn McLemore in Los Angeles, California, where ...

Donald Lawrence, Sir the Baptist, Kanye West and Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing Receive Top Honors The 20 most-performed Gospel songs were also announced NEW YORK, NY (June 7, 2021) – BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is proud to celebrate the 2021 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, honoring some of today’s legendary and rising Gospel music luminaries. The Gospel Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, and the 20 most-performed songs of the previous year were announced today on BMI.com and across the company’s social media platforms. In tribute to this inspiring generation of Gospel ...

Isaac Carree No Risk No Reward Shanachie Entertainment Group (release date: March 20, 2020) www.shanachie.com By Bob Marovich Isaac Carree has bestowed upon his first solo album in seven years a very accurate title. And in so doing, he has scored his best solo recording to date. No Risk No Reward finds Carree, former member of the genre-bending Men of Standard, pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a gospel album. In fact, the CD is two albums in one. The first part comprises an extended quiet storm expression of love to Carree’s earthly love, wife Dietra. As with Kim Burrell’s ...

John P. Kee I Made It Out Entertainment One Music (release date: September 13, 2019) www.eOneMusic.com By Bob Marovich In little more than a generation, Pastor John P. Kee has gone from the new kid on the block to the Prince of Gospel Music, a leading light whose name is frequently invoked by the current generation of gospel artists.as an inspiration. I Made It Out is Kee’s first album for Entertainment One since joining the label earlier this year. It’s also his first release since 2015’s Level Next. Those who grew up on Pastor Kee with the New Life Community ...

James Fortune Dream Again eOne Music / FIYA World Music (release date: August 23, 2019) www.entertainmentone.com By Bob Marovich I admit to having had significant misgivings when I was approached to review James Fortune’s new album, Dream Again. The gospel artist’s guilty pleadings to assaulting his wife Cheryl Fortune and earlier, to felony injury to his stepson, left me profoundly disappointed and angry. Why condone such behavior by acting as if it didn’t happen? My inkling was to never review his music again. Later, I read an article in which Fortune expressed remorse for what he had done and indicated ...