Category: Reviews

"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”.

"Withholding Nothing" – William McDowell

“Withholding Nothing”
William McDowell (2013)
www.williammcdowellmusic.com

William McDowell

William McDowell’s single “Withholding Nothing” is one of the newest songs to
lead hearts into worship everywhere.  His music has done no differently
in times past; for the singer/songwriter’s gifts have blessed the masses
with “I Give Myself Away” and “I Won’t Go Back.”

“Withholding Nothing” stays true to McDowell’s characteristically simple and
passionate worship: “I surrender all to You / Everything I give to You /
Withholding nothing…”  In fact, the song is already being added to
worship leaders’ setlists.

“Never Let Go” – Shabach Ministering Team

“Never Let Go”
Shabach Ministering Team
From the CD, So Amazing (2012)
Indie
Available at CD Baby

Shabach Ministering Team So Amazing art work
Rosana Goodloe and Montra Roberts aka Shabach Ministering Team allow us to listen in on their conversation with the Master in “Never Let Go.”
“In my darkness, You have proven to be strong / And in my storms, Lord, You’ve never left me alone….Now I know that I can still be strong / and I can still hold on…”
 
The team has been helping to set atmospheres for worship for more than a decade.  Written by Jarrell Goodloe and produced by Trey Corley, “Never Let Go” is from their CD, So Amazing.

"Gotta Believe in Me" [Audio] – Ebony Archer

“Gotta Believe in Me”
Ebony Archer
From the upcoming EP, The Breakthrough (Fall 2013)
www.ebony-archer.com

Ebony Archer Gotta Believe in Me art work
Here’s one to sing to yourself in the mirror every morning: “Doesn’t matter if I fall / Gonna make it through it all / For now I see / Gotta believe in me!”  Better yet, let gospel and inspirational pop artist Ebony Archer sing it for you; she has the chops as well as the infectious dance track to go with it. “Gotta Believe in Me” is part of her forthcoming five-track EP, The Breakthrough.

The Chicago singer, who’s a former member of Walt Whitman and the Soul Children, says that “the message of this song is to let everyone know that in order to reach your dreams, you must believe in yourself first, in order to make them come true.”

At 21 years of age, Ebony doesn’t just talk the talk.  In addition to singing, she is an author and the executive producer of Youth Speak Out TV Show.  She also has plans to film and produce her first documentary this year.

"The Medley" [Audio] – Connection!

“The Medley”
Connection! (2013)
Redeemed Records
Available on Amazon

Connection artwork
The group of young men from Houston known as Connection! makes good use of a medley to showcase clean vocals, slick production, and the ability to drop some good music on both contemporary and traditional gospel quartet fans.
 
Simply called “The Medley,” Connection! starts with ‘”Heaven is My Goal” followed by “Running (99 1/2 Won’t Do),” both of moderate tempo and R&B/soul feel, before diving into the hand-clapper “Hold On.”
 
Since the group’s formation in 2000, Connection! has gotten much attention, including racking up a pair of Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations.

"You Are" – Patricia Leigh

“You Are”
Patricia Leigh
From the CD, The L.I.F.E. Project (2013)
Poieo Music
www.iampatricialeigh.com

Patricia Leigh cover art
“You Are” from Patricia Leigh’s current release, The L.I.F.E. Project, is a great example of her self-described sound, “polyethnic sophisti-pop soul.”
 
The tune is lively: heavy on synths and drums.  And though it somewhat deviates from the contemporary gospel vibe to which many are acquainted, it’s Patricia’s warm alto that so effortlessly proclaims, “Because You are, I am” that makes it obvious she’s found her niche.
 
Patirica is a graduate of Oakwood University (also the alma mater of Take 6, Brian McKnight, and Committed), and has shared the stage several industry notables including Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, and Lamar Campbell.

The Call My Answer – Zone Of The Trinity

Zone Of The Trinity
The Call My Answer (EP)
Indie (2013)
Available on iTunes

Zone of the TrinityBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Jesse Crosby Mantey aka Zone Of The Trinity is sharing his message with others through the release of his three-track EP, The Call My Answer.
 
Zone Of The Trinity is originally from Ghana (currently living in NJ) and cultivated his singing and songwriting talents under the influence of the country’s contemporary gospel movement.
 
Each of the three songs on The Call My Answer move along at a moderately slow tempo, which is suitable for the reflective nature of the lyrics. “Doubting Castle” is a plea for God to remove doubt and restore a heart of faith; and it’s in “I Can’t Run Away Anymore” that Zone Of The Trinity likens himself to Jonah, acknowledging that he can neither void nor avoid the call of God on his life. The final track, “I’m So Ready” can be considered the resolution to the inner conflict revealed through the first two songs, the embracing of God’s will: “I’m so ready for You / I’m willing for You / I’m ready for Your spirit to fill me…”
 
Both Zone Of The Trinity’s vocal and musical presentations are simple. No frills. And I think that’s fine with him. At his core, he is a unique solo artist who combines African and American sounds with the desire to bring us inside his journey from the call to his answer, hence, The Call My Answer.

"Faithful" – Gwendolyn M. Smith

“Faithful”
Gwendolyn M. Smith
From the CD, Faithful (2013)
www.gwendolynmsmith.com

Gwendolyn M. Smith Faithful artwork
Gwendolyn M. Smith, a California native, is a songwriter whose contemporary gospel style is inspired by Edwin Hawkins and The Clark Sisters. Carrying that inspiration a bit further, she offers you “Faithful,” the title song from her current 13-track CD.
 

The worship tune’s personal lyrics and simple piano and string accompaniment are soothing complements to Smith’s light soprano, attesting, “You are God, and You’ve been true to me.”

"He Rescued Me" – Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony

“He Rescued Me”
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony
From the upcoming CD, Live in Newport News – Millionaire (2013)
Peacock Music Group
 
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony Millionaire cover art
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony take it back to the old school with their new toe-tapper, “He Rescued Me,” from the forthcoming CD, Live in Newport News – Millionaire. Woodson is a former member of The Mighty Clouds of Joy.
 
The Grand Rapids group’s presentation brings to mind a few of their likely quartet influences. Woodson’s styling during the opening lines, for instance, hints at The Sensational Nightingales’ Horace “Sug” Thompson while the rafter-rattling background falsetto harmonies channel the Fantastic Violinaires. When you add in the rallies for audience participation, “He Rescued Me” is like trotting down memory lane with Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony on a pleasant Sunday afternoon.