Category: Reviews

"Stand Up" – LaJaye Britt

“Stand Up”
LaJaye Britt (2013)
Rebel Hill Music LLC/My Q Music Group
Available on iTunes

LaJaye Britt art work stand up

LaJaye Britt hit the music scene in the 90’s with an R&B single, which partly explains the vibe of his current gospel offering, “Stand Up,” and its occasional Ronald Isley nuances.

For the entire three and a half minutes, the Goldsboro, NC native empowers one to emerge from setbacks and “stand up, stand up…stop lettin’ the devil hold you down.”  Suffice it to say that “Stand Up” runs on a full tank of motivation.

In addition to being a singer/songwriter, producer, and musician, LaJaye is the chief apostle of Kingdom Love Fellowship, Inc., based in LaGrange, NC.

"What A Holiday" – Maurice Griffin

“What A Holiday”
Maurice Griffin
From CD, My Holiday (2013)
MGM Chicago Music Group
http://mauricegriffinonline.com

There’s nothing like a feel-good song to get you in the spirit of Christmas, and Maurice Griffin taps into the Memphis soul sound (think Al Green) to do just that.

Griffin’s melismas in “What A Holiday” meet up with a slapping bass and brilliant horns to bring you the same infectious energy that he transmitted to BET Sunday Best 2 viewers when he was a finalist.

The full-length Christmas project, My Holiday, is available at iTunes.

"Noel" – Daphney Hilton

“Noel”
Daphney Hilton (2013)
Available at http://daphneyhilton.bandcamp.com

Daphney Hilton creates holiday nostalgia with her rendition of “Noel,” fashioned from the traditional carol, “The First Noel.”

Hilton’s “Noel” is a cozy jazz/soul remake of the Christmas hymn, textured with her sultry alto and melodic background repetitions of “Noel, Noel, He is the king of Israel.”

The single is also featured on the project, Silverwood Holiday Music, Vol. 1.

"I Run to You" – LaTonya Earl

“I Run to You”
LaTonya Earl
From the CD, Steppin’ Out on Faith (2012)
National & Independent Gospel Music Association
Available on Amazon

LaTonya Earl

Every now and then, there is a worship song that, upon hearing for the very first time, instantly rests on one’s heart as if it were written by the self directly to the Heavenly Father.  This is the mark of an effective worship piece: masses can intimately connect to it and to God.  When such a song is then ministered by a worshipper who is also a skilled singer and musician, the effect is nearly indescribable.  I shall try to describe it, nevertheless; for LaTonya Earl’s self-written “I Run to You” has to be one of the best pieces I’ve reviewed this year. Period.

The first thing one notices about Earl’s alto is its texture.  Masterfully, she allows her tone do the work in this selection.  Jazz nuances are present both in the psalmist’s vocal as well as the piano accompaniment, but neither overshadows the lyrics: “I run to the altar with my hands lifted high / Lord I surrender, You’re the reason why / I live, I move, I have my being / I run to the altar…I run to You.”

Earl is from Houston, TX and was nominated this past year for Rhythm of Gospel awards in five categories, including Songwriter of the Year for “I Run to You.”  The song is presented on the National & Independent Gospel Music Association’s Steppin’ Out on Faith CD.  (There is a version in the works for her own full-length project that will feature a spoken-word altar call and extended vamp.)


Rarely, if ever, have I made this kind of endorsement on GMF, but “I Run to You”–both this version and the version to come–is a must-have for your worship collection.

Check in tomorrow to read GMF’s interview with LaTonya.

History: Complete Early Recordings – The Yancey Family Singers

The Yancey Family Singers
History: Complete Early Recordings
Yancey Family Ministries (2013)
www.yanceyfamilyministries.org

Yancey Family Singers cover art

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The Yancey family is to the North Carolina city of Oxford what the Winans are to Detroit.  Full of singing, writing, and musical talent, the 11-sibling family has shared their brand of traditional gospel throughout the region for decades; it’s a legacy passed on to them by their parents, Melcina and the late Willie G. Yancey.  Their longtime supporters probably own the first vinyl records released under the name The Yancey Family Singers.  For younger ones like me—who own the more recent CDs and mp3s by those who’ve become solo artists in their own right—it’s a real treat to be able to step back in time via History: Complete Early Recordings, a 30-track double-disc compilation of the family’s early LPs and 45s.  The Yanceys are grateful to collector John Glassburner who supplied them with several of the hard-to-find original recordings that they were not able to easily access.

The CD set features music from two of their 1970’s albums, God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way and Mind Your Own Business as well as several singles.  The set also includes two early 70’s tracks from The Yancey Glorietts, younger siblings of The Yancey Family Singers.  The presentation of the early performances is as initially recorded, and there doesn’t appear to have been any remixing or remastering (which may explain the volume adjustments you’ll need to make and the clipping you’ll hear on just a few of the tracks).  Among the standouts is “God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way,” a retrospective musical narrative through which Willie N. Yancey recalls the family’s humble beginnings—when there were only four siblings and their father worked for a meager wage (60¢/hour), while Mother Yancey handmade their clothes to help make ends meet. Yet, “we were thankful…He brought us from a mighty long way.”

The compilation boasts its share of homespun quartet selections, including the punchy “Jesus Never Let Me Down” and sauntering “He Loves Me”—both of which hint at stylings of the Williams Brothers and Jackson Southernaires.  One might even think the Keynotes’ Paul Beasley showed up for a vocal workout, but it’s actually the keen falsetto of Willard Yancey on “Jesus Don’t Leave Me.”  Another tune, “Poor Man Cry,” ambles into country music territory and still another, “Pray for the Nation,” wallows in bluegrass as it tugs on our social consciousness.

The folksy “God’s and Satan’s War” puts sister Susie out front, while “I Had A Dream” and “You And God” are respectively plaintive and cautionary, capturing the piping vocals of a preteen Larry Yancey on the former and a barely teen Gloretta McNeil née Yancey on the latter.  Along with a pair of “mother” songs, the remaining numbers are quintessential Yancey gems that bespeak Dorothy Norwood’s endorsement of the singing family as the “best kept secret of Granville County.”  Of course, in the minds of all the Yanceys’ longtime friends, fans, and followers far and near, the secret has long been out.

Favorites
“God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way” – “He Loves Me”- “I Had A Dream”

Fever Meter
SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

"Rejoice!" – SoJo Ministries

“Rejoice”
SoJo Ministries (2012)
Eternity Productions
www.sojojo2.com

Solo Ministries

Joe Yancey, Jr. and his wife Sophia have been on their musical journey together for more than a decade. Under the name SoJo Ministries, they have since released their first single “Rejoice!” in digital format.

Reminded of God’s grace, Sophia’s light, breathy soprano rings out in the simple chorus, “Rejoice! It’s a brand new day / I just want to give You praise!”  Sophia handles the lead and background vocals on the urban inspirational feel-good track, while Joe takes care of all the instruments.

SoJo is originally from Wilmington, DE, and presently based in Atlanta.

"Gud 2 Me" – Em Bailey

“Gud 2 Me”
Em Bailey (2013)
T8 Flight Entertainment
Available on iTunes

Em Bailey art work Gud 2 Me

Twenty-two year old Em Bailey is described as a “fierce praiser”—wild and heartfelt.  Her debut single “Gud 2 Me” is all abuzz on the inspirational music circuit, combining gospel, R&B, rock, soul, and pop elements. The uptempo track leans more heavily toward R&B/pop, and—coincidence or not—the vocal stylings of Em and musical elements of “Gud 2 Me” bring to mind another “fierce” R&B/pop female sensation.

The Haines City, FL native is the first artist signed to T8 Flight Entertainment, an urban inspirational company formed by George “GL The GR8” Lott and Pastor Jarvis L. Marshall.

A grammar teacher may grimace upon repeatedly hearing, “He be He be gud / He be gud 2 me,” but the students wouldn’t.  They’d be too busy pencil-tapping the tune’s rhythmic sequences on their desks.

Official Video – "Greatest Man I Know" – VaShawn Mitchell f. Israel Houghton

“Greatest Man I Know”
VaShawn Mitchell feat. Israel Houghton
From the CD, Created 4 This (2012)
Motown Gospel

VaShawn Mitchell Created 4 This art work

By Shaundria Williams
Special Contributor

“Nobody greater, nobody greater nooooo, nobody greater than You! Searched all over (insert sound of a screeching record).”  I am sure there are some people who are wondering why VaShawn Mitchell would release another single about the greatness of God.  Really?  Well, how great is your god?

Church folks say, “If I had ten thousand tongues, I couldn’t praise Him enough.” By that theory, Bro. Mitchell could do an entire project entitled He’s Great, each track could be called “He’s Great,” and it still wouldn’t be enough to illustrate the breadth and depth of His Majesty–I digress.

“Greatest Man I Know,” written by Baltimore native Steve McKoy, is a one-song praise and worship session.  Adding the King of Multinational Worship in the body of Israel Houghton heightens the energy and produces a complete worship experience.  This song invokes a child-like worship, as if the saints have all encircled the throne to twirl, skip, hop, dance, and sing before Him in the beauty of Holiness—in Spirit and in Truth.  It’s a sure anthem for the sincere worshipper—sealed with a simple war cry. (I hope you know the power of a war cry.)

It follows the trend of simple “everybody” songs, like “Break Every Chain” (Tasha Cobbs).  You don’t have to be able to read sheet music or become involved with lengthy ostentatious verses to be able to sing along with the song.  Just love God and sincerely express how GREAT He is to you—which speaks to VaShawn’s most prominent gift: worship leader.

According to his bio on vashawnmitchell.com, Mitchell is a six-time Stellar Award-winner and GRAMMY® Award-nominated recording artist.  However, his first love is his church ministry.  He started his music ministry as the assistant music director when he was a young teenager.  He’s grown in ministry under the tutelage of Lonnie Hunter, the covering of Bishop Larry D. Trotter, and he’s worked with artists such as Smokie Norful, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Bishop Paul S. Morton.

You can find “Greatest Man I Know” on VaShawn’s latest project Created 4 This. You can also check out the official video below.

Trayvon Martin's mom releases new single featuring gospel's T-D.O.G.G.

Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, has released an inspirational song entitled “Joy Comes in the Morning.” Her collab with gospel hip-hopper T-D.O.G.G. is receiving positive reviews, especially from the numerous families affected by senseless gun violence.

T-D.O.G.G. wrote the inspirational piece after Fulton reached out, requesting that he compose a song based on her experiences.  Though she does not sing on the track, she uses the power of spoken word to encourage the brokenhearted.

“Joy Comes in the Morning” is available at CD Baby.  Proceeds will be used to make additional copies of the song.

"I Love the Lord" – Femi Jubal

“I Love the Lord”
Femi Jubal ( 2013)
www.facebook.com/femijubal

Femi Jubal

Femi Jubal of Abuja, Nigeria is described as a transformational servant-leader, songwriter, speaker, worship leader, and addicted soul winner.  “I Love the Lord” is his current single.

Co-written by Femi and his friend Adams, an Abuja-based producer, “I Love the Lord” opens with warm layers of piano and strings. Over the course of five and a half minutes and Femi’s passionate (and ever so slightly raspy) vocal, the song blooms into a full-blown contemporary christian worship ballad.

Femi’s life is a story of redemption and restoration that brought him to the life-changing realization that “there is nothing for him outside [of] Jesus.”