Category: Reviews

"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.

"Light" – Tobbi & Tommi

“Light”
Tobbi & Tommi (2013)
BAS Music Group
Available at iTunes

Tobbi & Tommi cover art

Donald Lawrence describes them as “two of the best sopranos on the planet!” After 12 years with his aggregation, Donald Lawrence and Company, sisters Tobbi and Tommi step forward with their brand new single “Light.”

“Light” shines as a contemporary christian beacon of praise–“Glory, hallelujah, Jesus reigns and there’s access to redemption through His name!”–throughout which the two declare that “Jesus is the Light!”

Hailing from East St. Louis, Illinois, Tobbi and Tommi (formerly known as T&T and The White Sisters) have been immersed in gospel music for as long as they can remember.  Tobbi is also the featured vocalist on the new single, “The Gift,” from Donald Lawrence’s forthcoming 20th anniversary CD.

“Teach the Children” – Dr. John “G Star” Jones

“Teach The Children”
Dr. John “G Star” Jones (2012)
Independent

Dr. John "G Star" Jones
There’s more to education than ABC’s and 123’s, according to Dr. John Jones, who goes by the stage name G Star (meaning “God’s Star”).  His uptempo inspirational tune reminds mothers, fathers, and teachers of all kinds of their moral obligation to “Teach the Children.”
 
“Teach the Children” sounds like a public service announcement of sorts, urging that children be taught to love God, stay in school, and have class.

Jones has been making music for many years and is known for his unique style and charisma.  More notably, according to his bio, he has dedicated his time and talents toward helping to take homeless children off New York City’s streets and provide them with housing—a commendable service to our kids and a testament that Jones doesn’t just talk the talk.