Category: Reviews

"Ready Aim" – Mali Music

“Ready Aim”

Mali Music (2013)
RCA Records
www.malimusicofficial.com
Mali Music "Ready Aim" art work
By Shaundria Williams
Special Contributor 

SOAP BOX:  My God is so creative, strategic and infinite.  He has a way of ministering to every soul–from sending missionaries to the most desolate corners of third-world countries to impregnating vocalists and lyricists with music directly designed to minister to those who live and breathe HIP HOP.

If you follow Mali Music on Facebook, you’ll notice mixed reviews about his music career. Some folks are praying for him as if he’s hell bound.  Others are head-banging and hailing him a musical genius.  I stand with the Others.  I am often applauded at the naysayers of “Holy Hip Hop,” especially those that believe that Mali Music has backslidden into a secular abyss. I will admit, if “Ready Aim” plays on the secular station between Weezy and Drake, it won’t stick out like a sore thumb as a great gospel hymn.  However, it’s hot enough to lead someone to see what Mali is about.  They’ll run into other tracks like “The Name” or “Walk on Water” which are more “traditional” than the eclectic and reflective track “Ready Aim.”

Ready Aim is truly that FIYAH!  If you listen to it carefully, it is clearly a rebuke for those who question his walk–on either side.  It is biblically grounded; but, you do have to have the Word in your heart to hear it.  This track could easily be the sequel to the hymn “I Have Decided to
Follow Jesus.”  When you decide to follow Jesus, you follow Him at all costs and you’re willing to be attacked on every side: fighting against principalities and powers of the air, internalizing the fact that no weapon formed against you will prosper.  His verse of cadence seems to express his sentiment towards trying to reach the secular audience.  He’s been called to do this, so, if you’re ready, aim and FIRE!

"Stand Up!" – Jay McGee

“Stand Up!”
Jay McGee
From the CD, Testimony!! (2012)
Beacon Records
Available at CD Baby

Jay McGee Stand Up art work
Jay McGee’s vibe is reminiscent of Sam Cooke and Johnnie Taylor, a couple of the finest and most recognizable voices in soul. Augmenting the vibe is a call he issues through “Stand Up,” from his fourth full-length project, Testimony!! 
 
Simply put, McGee wants those who believe in Jesus Christ to be bold witnesses. “Stand up and be counted / Everywhere you go, let the people know you love Him—My Jesus.”
 
Originally from Fayetteville, NC, McGee is a singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger whose music extends into various genres.

"He's Very Much Alive" – Sue Roseberry

“He’s Very Much Alive”
Sue Roseberry (2013)
www.sueroseberry.com

Sue Roseberry He's Very Much Alive art work

Sue Roseberry, aka “Mama Sue,” has been making waves on the traditional choir scene for a long time, and ever since her stay on BET’s Sunday Best 4, fans have eagerly awaited the release of new music from the endearing vocalist.  Well, the wait is over and Roseberry is here with a brand new single, “He’s Very Much Alive,” from her forthcoming CD, Magnificent God.

With a shuffle feel, octave-toggling bass, swelling horns, and a cast of soulful background singers, Roseberry communicates the truth of the matter in an inimitable style that her audience readily identifies as praise-provoking: “He’s not on the cross, He’s not in the tomb—He’s alive! Jesus is alive!”

Besides being the vocal powerhouse you came to know and love from the Sunday Best competition, Roseberry is a writer with more than 300 compositions to her credit.  Additionally, she is a favorite at Gospel Music Workshop of America gatherings and an encourager to her industry compatriots.

"Just Pray (J Dilla Mix)" – Antonio Long

“Just Pray (J Dilla Mix)”
Antonio Long
From the upcoming mixtape, The Life Project (September 2013)
www.antoniolong.com

J Dilla

Antonio Long’s smooth vocals are unobstructed by the equal parts smooth and simmering beat in his current single “Just Pray.”  This is a good thing, because the ear settles exactly where it should: on the message.

Antonio is from Baltimore, and his testimony is one of having walked through adversity and into his calling in Christ.  It’s the kind of testimony that tells you when he sings, “It’s gonna be just fine, have faith, believe,” he knows from experience.

"Redeemed" – The Golden Wings Quartet

“Redeemed”
The Golden Wings Quartet
From the CD, Redeemed – Live in Richmond, VA (2013)
4 Winds Records

Golden Wings Quartet artwork

The Golden Wings Quartet’s new stomper “Redeemed” is the kind of song that makes Tupelo synonymous with downhome quartet music these days.

Written by guitar beast Alton Hollis, the song takes its place among others that affirm the oft told conversion story: “I’ve been saved / I’ve been sanctified / I feel alright / I’ve been redeemed!”

The Golden Wings Quartet was formed in 1970, and has traveled extensively spreading the gospel message.

"Leave It All Behind" – Bona

“Leave It All Behind”
Bona (2013)
http://bonasings.com

Bona Leave It All Behind art work

DC area singer/songwriter, guitarist and worship leader Bona ministers a timeless lesson for humanity with her acoustic tune “Leave It All Behind.”

Bona calls her genre acoustic soul worship.  In sultry, yet organic, folksy fashion, she talks about the discipline to forgive, concluding that “sometimes letting go means you gain so much more.”

"Turn Up The Praises" – Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship

“Turn Up The Praises”
Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship
From the CD, Chosen (2013)
www.brianhamiltonmusic.com

Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship art work

Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship want you to take your praise to a whole ‘notha level, and they tag one of today’s popular catchphrases to make the point.

“Turn Up The Praises” is a celebratory song that fuses the styles of Fred Hammond, Israel & New Breed, and Tye Tribbett to create something unique for the Toronto native and his group.

“Turn it up to another level….Lift Jesus higher!” exhorts the high energy ensemble of young adults.

Hamilton, a worship leader and songwriter, founded Divine Worship in 2006.  The single “Turn Up The Praises” is featured on the group’s current CD Chosen, available on iTunes.

"New Beginnings" – Linda Clark

“New Beginnings”
Linda Clark
From the CD, New Beginnings (2013)
www.lindaclarkmusic.com

Linda Clark New Beginnings art work

Ever so soothingly, Linda Clark reiterates that “old things have passed away; behold, I’m new in Christ in today. I’m new in Christ; this is my new beginning.”

Warm strings prepare the way for Linda’s flawless vocal, and even when she ascends through her register, the tenderness of the self-penned ballad abides.

Clark’s artistry has gained attention from music heavyweights like Al Jarreau, Israel Houghton, and Vickie Winans. Presently, she serves as overseer and worship leader under the pastoral care of Bishop Daniel Robertson, Jr. and Co-Pastor Elena Robertson at Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries in Richmond, VA.

"You Can Do Anything" – Kendall Triplett

“You Can Do Anything”
Kendall Triplett (2013)
Available on iTunes

Kendall Triplett You Can Do Anything art work

Kendall Triplett could sing R&B; it’s clear he’s been influenced by the genre.  He could dabble in jazz too.  So, I think it’s pretty cool that he’s choosing to bring fresh music to the gospel scene.  Don’t get me wrong though: “You Can Do Anything” is one of those upbeat R&B/pop inspirational tunes that stretches beyond gospel’s boundaries.

The track is written by Grammy nominated songwriter Delisha Thomas (who’s also written for Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, et al.). Triplett, himself a songwriter in addition to a talented vocalist, has plans to release a full-length project later this year entitled Lose Myself.

"God Has Been So Good to Me" – The Brooklyn Allstars

“God Has Been So Good to Me”
The Brooklyn Allstars
From the CD, Live in Richmond, VA (2013)
4 Winds Records

Brooklyn Allstart Live in Richmond art work

“Even a blind man can see how good God’s been to me,” declare The Brooklyn Allstars in their uptempo number, “God Has Been So Good to Me.”  The single, which expresses a widely shared sentiment, appears on the group’s CD, Live in Richmond, VA, due out today.

Founder Rev. Thomas Spann, whose bass ad-libs are sprinkled along the single’s backdrop, talked with GMF’s Libra Boyd in June about the Allstars’ signature sound.  You can read it here: Brooklyn Allstars’ Thomas Spann reflects on “signature sound that I didn’t realize I had”.