Category: Reviews

"It Could've Been My Son" – John P. Kee

“It Could’ve Been My Son”
John P. Kee
www.johnpkeeonline.com

Last month when I expressed my outrage about the Trayvon Martin case (see related story), I reported the gospel community’s response and voiced my hope for the momentum to continue.

Pastor John P. Kee has set to music the sentiment of millions of parents all over the country with his brand new single, “It Could’ve Been My Son.”

Once a street thug and drug dealer, the father of nine witnessed firsthand the senseless violence that occurred in his neighborhood, including the untimely death of a close friend.  Since his spiritual transformation, the award-winning singer and Charlotte pastor has pursued an aggressive street ministry, especially to inner city communities.  For the past five years, Kee has hosted a gun exchange program–allowing people to trade in their guns for gift cards.  The guns are then given to the police to be destroyed.

“It Could’ve Been My Son” is available on iTunes.

Related Story
Members of the gospel community support justice for Trayvon Martin

"Glory" – Mario Brown

“Glory”
Mario Brown
From the upcoming CD, The Mario Brown Project (Available Spring 2012)
www.bronxbridgeent.com 
 
The worship ballad “Glory” is the current single from newcomer Mario Brown’s forthcoming album, The Mario Brown Project.  The singer, songwriter, and musician is signed with Bronx Bridge Entertainment, Inc. and F. Hammond Music.
 
With the tenderness of a warm embrace, Brown sings to the Lord, “I’m living all for Your glory; I found my purpose in You.  That’s why I’m singing, telling everyone my story…”  His emotion is intensified by the beautifully arpeggiated piano chords, lush strings, and occasional interjection of an electric guitar’s distortion.  
 
Brown is a praise and worship leader and the Minister of Music over Christian Faith Fellowship Church Choir in Milwaukee, WI.

Speak Myself Free – Robert Jamison and Victory

Robert Jamison and Victory
Speak Myself Free
RJM Publishing (2011)
www.robertjamisonandvictory.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Robert Jamison and Victory are on a mission to spread the hope and joy of salvation to all who will receive their message.  The Kentucky native and his gospel ensemble are off to a fairly good start with their four-song introductory project, Speak Myself Free.

Described by Jamison as “good ol gospel music,” the CD opens and closes with two uptempo tracks (“Warfair” and “Can’t Find A Friend”).  The slow ones (“Speak Myself Free” and “I Cannot Make It”) are sandwiched in the middle.  All were written, produced, and arranged by Kyri Demby.

“I Cannot Make It” is the best of the foursome.  Tonya Thomas’s soprano really soars just as the song passes the five-minute mark.  Jamison takes the lead on the last number, “Can’t Find A Friend.”

Constructively speaking, the CD doesn’t quite hit the mark musically.  There are pitch problems in a few spots with both the lead and choir vocals, which a bit more rehearsal time and fine-tuning could remedy.  Were I watching the ensemble perform live, perhaps I wouldn’t notice the lengthy intros to “Warfair” and “I Cannot Make It” (forty seconds and one full minute, respectively), plus the latter features nice guitar work by Mark “Lupe” Hamilton.

Robert Jamison and Victory are on the right track with their mission and their zeal, and they’ve already taken hold of opportunities to share their music with radio markets in Chicago and Dallas.  I’m looking forward to the choir’s growth as they persist in developing their gifts and talents.

Favorite
“I Cannot Make It”

Fever Meter
WARM (2 of 5 Stars)

“Thank You” – Roy and Revelation

“Thank You”
Roy and Revelation
From the CD, Thank You (2012)
www.royandrevelation.com   

Stanley Roy Ladson, Jr. isn’t 30 years old yet, but listening to his group’s tune, “Thank You,” will make you think you just popped a quarter in a late 1950’s Jukebox.

The rock and roll/R&B drenched number is the gospel drive that’s getting Roy and Revelation’s debut recording lots of attention.  The rising South Carolina group recently signed with 4Winds/Malaco and is excited to present its brand of music to the next generation of quartet lovers.

My Purpose – Genita Pugh

Genita Pugh
My Purpose
Eternity Records (2011)
www.genitapugh.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

You won’t hear any vocal acrobatics on Genita Pugh’s current CD.  What you will hear, though, is the heart of a pastor with a passion for her purpose: worship.  My Purpose is a most fitting title for the no-frills alto vocalist’s current project.

The set opens with “Can’t Live,” borrowed from R. Kelly’s “Can’t Sleep.”  From there, “Open My Eyes,” “You Were There for Me,” and “In the Presence of the Lord” deliver a pleasant listening and worship experience.  “Who Can?” does the same, albeit with an uptempo head-bobbing bounce.

Pugh doesn’t neglect her roots, though.  The founder and pastor of Original Worship Ministry has old-fashioned church Mississippi-style with her self-penned toe-tapper “All the Ways of You” and the mid-tempo “Die to Myself.”  Even with this pair of tunes, Pugh stays in her lane–avoiding feverish riffs and vocal cartwheels–supporting the adage that less is sometimes more.  She does give some oomph to the urbanesque “Do You Love the Lord?” an upbeat track accented with beastly slap bass and mean horn swells.

Produced by James Roberson (JDI Music), this project melds nice selections, good writers and musicians, and a singer who is grateful to know her purpose.

Favorites
“Can’t Live” – “Open My Eyes” – “In the Presence of the Lord”

Fever Meter
SIMMERIN’ (3 of 5 Stars)

"Hello God" – Eunice Wright

“Hello God”
Eunice Wright
From the upcoming CD, Worth It All (Available April 10, 2012)
www.eunicewright.com

Eunice Wright’s contemporary christian flavored “Hello God” is a refreshing way to invite the Father to take center stage in your life.

“Make Yourself comfortable,” Wright bids, “for Your presence just made my day.”

The worship single is being greeted warmly on radio and is featured on the award-winning psalmist’s forthcoming CD, Worth It All.

Though still rather new to the industry, Wright is not new to singing or ministry.  Her first release, Wait On Me, earned her three awards and thirteen other award nominations including Stellar, the Rhythm of Gospel, and South Florida Gospel Music Awards recognition. 

“Hello God” is presently available for download free on the official Eunice Wright website: www.eunicewright.com.

"A Story to Tell" – North Carolina Community Choir

“A Story to Tell”
North Carolina Community Choir feat. Darrell Luster
4Winds/Malaco Music Group (2012) 
www.malaco.com 

Originally posted March 20, 2012 at 7:58AM
Last Updated March 21, 2012 at 11:52AM

Darrell Luster takes the lead on North Carolina Community Choir’s new single “A Story to Tell.”

“What’s that behind that smile on your face?” the choir inquires over the unhurried horn-laced musical backdrop. “What kind of pain are you trying to erase?  How do you hide it–hide it so well?”

“I’ll bet you’ve got a story,” Luster interposes.  The choir returns, “A story to tell!” 

The choir was originally formed in 2008, under the direction of Ray Braswell, Jr. and James Bellamy in Rocky Mount, from the vision of Dr. Thomas L. Walker (known for his circa 1980 gospel gold album One Day at a Time).  At that time, the aggregation was called The Promise Choir.  Sometime later, the choir was revamped and renamed with Luster, Braswell, and songwriter Brian Foster at the helm.

The choir has performed on Bobby Jones Gospel, and has sung on projects by The Sensational Nightingales (Live in Rocky Mount), Darrell Luster & F.C. Barnes (“He Won’t Change”), and Lil’ Blair & The Fantastic Heirs.

“A Story to Tell” is a compelling preface to the North Carolina Community Choir’s upcoming CD memoir.

Thank You for Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II – Minister Johnson

Minister Johnson
Thank You For Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II
Psalms Way Music Ministry (2011)
www.theministerjohnsoncatalog.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Minister Lamont C. Johnson’s Thank You For Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II is full of west coast flair.  The Sacramento songwriter and minister of music’s charisma is apparent from the CD’s opening track, the trotting “Won’t Just Say I’m Saved,” but it’s really the collaborations that nicely round out this 13-song contemporary gospel project.

“I’m Doing It God’s Way (Women’s Anthem),” which I’d be none surprised to hear in a gospel stage play, features Carla Fleming as a Godly woman laying out her standards to the player who wants to “just kick it.”  The anthem is dedicated to Minister Johnson’s wife, Felicia, whose commitment to sexual purity before marriage changed his walk with the Lord.

Adrian Weatherspoon joins Minister Johnson for “They Never Knew You Were God,” a slow, heartfelt preface to the subsequent “You Are the King,” which features Deneen Cox’s warmly textured contralto over a bed of velvety background vocals.

On the title track, Minister Johnson croons an ode of gratitude to his Savior atop minimal musical accompaniment: finger snaps, electric piano, and guitar.  Norman McDaniel eventually takes the guitar solo and crafts an intimate melody for the final few bars.

Other selections are in the vein of today’s popular contemporary music, save the ear-arresting “God’s Time.”  Surely, it’s the lyrics targeted to the members of “Bedside Baptist Church” that will prompt you to “get up, get dressed, and get in” to a house of worship on Sunday morning! 

Thank You For Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II is a testament to Minister Johnson’s diversity as a songwriter and zeal for spreading the gospel through music.

Favorites
“You Are the King” – “Thank You For Saving Me”

Fever Meter
SIMMERIN’ (3 of 5 Stars)

“Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute)” – Dorothy Norwood

“Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute)”
Dorothy Norwood
From the upcoming CD, God’s Been Just That Good (Available March 20, 2012)
http://www.malaco.com/

Dorothy Norwood is warming up traditional radio with her current single “Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute).”

Norwood, this year’s recipient of the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award at the Stellars, joins Monica Lisa Stevenson and Bishop J.D. Means for a traditional tribute to her friend and mentor, Albertina Walker.  Rather than somberly reminiscing, the Caravans alumna opts to esteem her comrade before forging ahead into the uplifting song of gratitude and praise.

"Awesome God" – Maurette Brown Clark

“Awesome God”
Maurette Brown Clark
From the CD, The Sound of Victory (2011)
www.maurettebrownclark.com

Maurette Brown Clark is the kind of singer that can usher you right into the presence of the Lord, and the vertical “Awesome God” from her The Sound of Victory project is confirmation.

The choir along with gospel music’s sweetheart worship their way through the song’s alternating stanzas, with each set getting a modulation and an additional layer of instruments.  “Awesome God” crescendos to its zenith shortly after the three-minute mark, before bursting into its refrain: “Oh You/Oh You/You are an awesome God!”

Maurette’s ability to lead you into the Lord’s presence makes it likely that you will lose yourself in worship and forget all about her simple but intense lead vocals and exhortations.