"Author" – Latice Crawford

“Author”
Latice Crawford
From the upcoming project, Diary of a Church Girl (Available 2016)
Available at iTunes

Author - Latice Crawford - art workBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Hearing Latice Crawford intertwine the lyrics and melody of her current single “Author” is like reading, or listening to, an aural diary.

“Author, please write me better / Potter, mold me better,” she sings.

The fact is, intimately and steadily, Latice delivers the same impressive, impassioned vocal that landed her in the top three on BET Sunday Best 2.

“Author” is the second single from Latice’s forthcoming project, Diary of a Church Girl.

“I Shall Wear A Crown” – YaLonda Lolar-Johnson

“I Shall Wear A Crown”
YaLonda Lolar-Johnson (2015)
Available at iTunes
YaLonda Lolar-Johnson art work

By Libra Boyd 
Gospel Music Fever

She describes herself as a soprano, but YaLonda Lolar-Johnson makes effective use of her alto register with her jazzy arrangement of “I Shall Wear A Crown,” popularized by the late Thomas Whitfield.

YaLonda’s satin vocal performance is complemented by equally polished accompaniment: silken background vocals, expressive hornswhich feature a sax solo, and mellow jazz organ voicings.

YaLonda is a native of Saint Paul, MN.  Her EP, Exodus, is scheduled to be released sometime this year. 

"All of Me" – Doug Williams

“All of Me”
Doug Williams
From the upcoming CD, Crossover (Available Summer 2016) 
Blackberry Records

Doug Williams All of Me art work

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

Doug Williams’ current single “All of Me” is a contemporary vertical worship tune—not necessarily what one might expect from one of gospel quartet’s most recognizable voices.  Doug has always been on the cutting edge, though—whether performing solo or with Melvin and Henry aka The Williams Brothers.

“All of Me,” from the singer/songwriter’s forthcoming project, Crossover, adheres mostly to the familiar CCM I-V-vi-IV progression.  Doug comfortably assumes the role of worship leader while the background singers alternating unison and harmony voicings carry the worship melody.

"Silent Night" – Ex Musiq

“Silent Night”
Ex Musiq (2015)
www.facebook.com/exmusiq

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Ex Musiq’s gift to you this Christmas is a free download of “Silent Night,” available at http://vibedeck.com/3hprecords/145219.

Despite their eclectic blend of gospel, hip-hop, pop, and R&B sounds, the Baltimore area inspirational trio presents “Silent Night” in its traditional form with an unaltered melody cushioned by warm layers of strings.

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" – Charles P. Walker

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Charles P. Walker
From the digital EP, Do You Hear What I Hear? (2015)
www.charlespwalker.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Charles P. Walker rolls in holiday cheer with a lively instrumental performance of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”  The saxophone arrangement is the title track from his digital Christmas EP.

Walker has drawn comparisons to sax greats Grover Washington and Kirk Whalum, among others.  Still, his style bears a uniqueness that has earned him session credits with Bernard Harris and Kevin Whalum as well as shared platforms with Smokie Norful and Donnie McClurkin.

Walker is a featured artist at the bi-annual Kingdom Global World Connect Conference, the Music Boat, and K-Love Christian Cruises.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" – Livrè

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Livrè
From the CD, A Classic Holiday…Presented by MBK (2015)
MBK Entertainment/Sony Music Entertainment
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

For the Christmas holiday, Livrè delivers a delightfully harmonic and soulful arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

The urban inspirational quintet’s modern a cappella rendition of the 16th century carol is featured along with the music of Alicia Keys, Tyrese, Brandy, Elle Varner, and others on the multi-genre compilation disc, A Classic Holiday…Presented by MBK.

"O Holy Night" – Kevin Riley

“O Holy Night”
Kevin Riley (2015)

By Libra Boyd

 
This season, Kevin Riley lends his distinct baritone to the sacred Christmas standard, “O Holy Night.” Jansen Goodwin’s orchestral arrangement complements Kevin’s compelling performance of the holiday classic.
 
“O Holy Night” is available at iTunes.
 
Kevin resides in Little Rock, AR, and serves as pastor of In His Presence Worship Ministries.

"Never Let You Go" – Dennis Garner ft. Truman Comer

“Never Let You Go”
Dennis Garner feat. Truman Comer (2015)
Available at iTunes

"Never Let You Go" artwork_Dennis Garner

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Nope, it’s not Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.  It’s Dennis Garner featuring Truman Comer. And the only reason I’m telling you is because when you hear the intro, you just might think otherwise.

Nope, it’s not the 1980s R&B hit “Before I Let Go.”  The single is actually its gospelized equivalent, “Never Let You Go.”  The music is entirely familiar, but Garner’s lyrics are conspicuously different: “I am so grateful You saved my soul….You are my Savior, and I’ll never let You go.”

The producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has worked with Quincy Jones and other industry heavyweights throughout his decades-long career.  The Greensboro, NC native also made a pair of movie appearances in The Color Purple (as a guitar player) and Eddie.

Marshalee talks about new single, unique sound

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Marshalee is a gifted and skilled singer.  She has sung at conventions and conferences, performed in corporate circles, made TV appearances, and landed roles in professional theatre.  Marshalee’s resumé is weighty, and yet, just a glance at her bio tells you that her highest priority is representing Jesus Christ and “seeking daily to live in His image.”

As His representative, the Jamaican-born songstress is using her current single, “Follow,” to invite others to do likewise.  Recently, Marshalee shared more with me about her single and the “sound” that has given her exposure across multiple platforms.

I love the song, “Follow.”  It encourages you to stay the course and follow Christ where He leads, and He will see that you accomplish the goals He has placed in your heart.  A line in the song says, ‘I want to speak your words I wanna dream your dreams,’ and it means I want to help evangelize the world so that people may come to know Jesus Christ and receive the gift of salvation so they can have a good and abundant life here on earth as well as have eternal life in heaven.  It is Christ’s desire (to bring it down to earth—my level of understanding—it’s His dream) that ‘all should be saved…’ and that ‘none should perish.’

“Follow” is the lead single off the singer’s 2015 album by the same name and is produced by Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Jeff Pardo, whom Marshalee describes as “a real musical genius…an amazing musician and extremely creative.”  The contemporary christian anthem is also illustrative of a distinct soundone that is inspired by her locale. 

I describe my ‘sound’ as CCMS (Contemporary Christian Music Soul) with a Caribbean and R&B flavor.  Naturally, being from the islands in addition to doing traditional, urban, contemporary and R&B gospel song arrangements, song ideas also come to me in reggae and calypso—both of which are natural formats of gospel music for me.  I believe God intended for me to incorporate those types of musical arrangements in my albums and stage presentations by virtue of the fact that He caused me to be born and raised in the culture and Island of Jamaica.

In addition to the influence of Jamaican culture, Marshalee eagerly acknowledges a host of artists who have been inspirations – Dottie Peoples, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Mandisa, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and Jonathan Nelson are just a few. She credits one gospel legend’s concert in particular for the trajectory of her music ministry.

I remember attending a Shirley Caesar concert with my cousins in Paterson, New Jersey in the 1990’s, and that experience had a profound spiritual and musical influence on me. It really focused my mind, spirit and heart on ministry and on serving God.  Her testimony and ministry was instrumental in setting me on my way to where I am in singing and writing music today.

Supplementary to her work as a performing artist, Marshalee dedicates herself to nurturing the musical interests of the youth in her community by offering a free summer music program for children and teens.  As she describes, the Voice Lesson and Choral Program “[provides] exposure to youth who are interested in music and [helps] validate and
nurture their vocal skills.”  As many as 75 youths from the Framingham community have participated annually.  The program, Marshalee explains, is an extension of her ministry as a gospel artist.

There’s boundless hope and power in gospel music soothing the body, soul, heart
and mind….Gospel music has the power to empower the hopeless and to
rebuild ruined lives.    

_____________________________
Marshalee is busy gearing up for her 2015 album release community concert, set for Friday, November 20, 2015, at 6 PM.  The event takes place at the Greater Framingham Community Church, 44 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA.  All are invited, and admission is free.  The full-length album will be on sale at the concert and can be pre-ordered at www.MarshaleeMusic.com.  It will also be available for download on iTunes, Amazon, and other electronic media.

"I Got a Good Feeling" – Tam Johnson and God's Favor

Tam Johnson and God's Favor Miracle cover art
“I Got a Good Feeling”
Tam Johnson and God’s Favor
From the CD, Miracle (2014)
www.facebook.com/tamjohnsonandgf
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Using alternative hip-hop group Arrested Development’s early 90s arrangement of “People Everyday” (which heavily borrows from Sly the Family Stone’s “Everyday People”) as their music sample, Tam Johnson and God’s Favor deliver a hefty dose of optimism with “I Got a Good Feeling.”  Johnson, the singers, and the band enthusiastically proclaim that everything’s gonna “be all right” over a mid-tempo groove.
Tam Johnson and God’s Favor hail from Wilson, NC.  “I Got a Good Feeling” is featured on their current CD, Miracle.