Category: Reviews

"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.

"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.

‘Remember Me’—’Live’ In Concert – The New Christianaires

The New Christianaires "Remember Me"—"Live" In Concert cover artThe New Christianaires
“Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert
Carter Classic Records (2014)
www.thenewchristianaires.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert is the latest album by The New Christianaires, whose traditional quartet style intermingled with new school arrangements gives the Florida-based group its modern edge.

Recorded live in Louisiana at House of Praise COGIC, “Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert is bursting with spiritual energy, both from the New Christianaires and their lively hand-clapping audience.  There’s no lack of singing talent in this group; all the members are lead singers.  For this project, the lead tasks are shared among Jarmain Hawthorne, Elvis Brumfield, Jr., Clint Walker, George Carter, Sr., and Joe Mitchell.  On several of the album’s 14 tracks, pairs of them tag-team to get the job done.  Their soul-steeped vocals shine brightly on “Lord I Thank You,” “Still Standing,” and “I Feel the Spirit.”  Sonorous drum and bass lines in the cantering tracks (like “When You Think” and “One of These Old Mornings”) and seamless chord progressions in the mildly paced ones (like “Praise Him” and “Trust Me”), enliven the singers’ harmonies.

The project’s title tune, “Remember Me,” encapsulates the group’s overall sound well, but “Trouble Won’t Last” and “Jesus” turn out to be particularly interesting because of Brumfield’s vintage soul vocal texture and delivery.

The New Christianaires were formed in 2010 by Carter, who was an original member of the Legendary Christianaires from Suntag, Mississippi.  In 2014, the group took home the Rhythm of Gospel Award for Quartet Group of the Year.


Fever Meter

SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

Favorites
“When You Think” – “Jesus” – “Trust Me”

"Caught Up" – Conrad Miller

“Caught Up”
Conrad Miller (2015)
www.millconmusic.com

Conrad Miller Caught Up art work

Conrad Miller sings exultantly about the second coming of the Savior in his newest single, “Caught Up.” The uptempo contemporary flavored traditional song is written and produced by Stellar winner Earl Bynum.

The tune kicks off with an exuberant horn section that continues for the track’s four-and-half-minute duration.  Miller’s technical training as a vocalist is evident and his diction is precise as he describes Christ’s return. 

Miller is no stranger to the traditional gospel scene.  His music career stretches over 20 years as a singer, composer, arranger, and recording artist.

"On My Journey" – Clarice Hall

“On My Journey”
Clarice Hall (2015)
www.msreecie.com

Clarice Hall - On My Journey - art work

Clarice Hall’s vocals are soulful and crisp—a lovely complement to the contemporary gospel styling of her mid-tempo single, “On My Journey.”

And just when her skillful yet unforced riffs get your head bobbing, she pays tribute to the old school with a turn of phrase (“Church folks sing it like this, y’all…”) that segues into a 20-second a cappella interlude.

Clarice’s vocal flair reaches across the genres of gospel, jazz, and R&B, and her music résumé includes performances with heavyweights in each genre.

Clarice is a native of Raleigh and a member of Word Empowerment Church in Durham.  She concurrently serves as minister of music at Durham’s Mt. Olive AME Zion Church.

"Breakthrough" – Half Mile Home

Half Mile Home - Breakthough art work“Breakthrough”
Half Mile Home (2015)
www.halfmilehome.com
Church Boy Muzik

Half Mile Home’s inspirational hard handclap track, “Breakthrough,” drives home an important message: keep the faith.  The contemporary tune is the lead single from the Akron trio’s album, Don’t Judge Me (set for release this summer).

Check out the official video and you’ll see three gentlemen with soulful chops letting you know it’s “time for your breakthrough!”


"Jesus Over Everything" – Thomas E. Bell

“Jesus Over Everything”
Thomas E. Bell (2015)
Available at iTunes

Thomas E. Bell - Jesus Over Everything art work

Thomas E. Bell honed his songwriting craft during his high school days, penning tunes for his R&B group.  At the age of 21, he decided it was time to dedicate his talent wholly to the Lord.  “Jesus Over Everything” is Bell’s current single.  In the hip-hop laced single, he makes clear that the name of Jesus is above all others, and “ain’t nobody takin’ His place.”

“Jesus Over Everything” is heavy on percussion as well as keyboard and vocal effects; but just like a good cobbler crust, Bell’s creatively expressed lyrical message rises to the top.

"Just Jesus" – J Squared

“Just Jesus”
J Squared (2015)
Dre Dai Entertainment
Available at iTunes

J Squared - Just Jesus art work

Comprised of preteen siblings Jordan Camille and Jackson Dondrea Lamont Geter, the hip-hop/pop/gospel duo J Squared “sets it off” with their single, “Just Jesus.” The track is featured on their forthcoming CD, Dreams, scheduled for release in August 2015. The twosome hails from the ATL.

Jordan and Jackson’s ages (nine and six, respectively) match their budding vocals and their simple message about the goodness of Jesus, which is performed in gleeful unison throughout.

With a positive vibe and youthful enthusiasm, J Squared has great things in store for their generation.