Category: Reviews

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/27/11) – “Like A Ship”

“Like A Ship”
Maggie Ingram & The Ingramettes
From the vinyl LP, The Miami Riot (1987)
AIR Records

I grew up listening to and enjoying Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes.  So, I guess it sounds just a little bit odd to say that I attended my first Maggie Ingram concert by accident; but I did.

Yep, it was one summer about nine years ago, and our men’s choir had been invited to a musical at Rogers Grove Church International in Durham.  That afternoon, the choir and I arrived to find that we were among many groups and choirs also scheduled to perform.  I must confess that I was not at all interested in spending my entire Sunday evening at church, and after our choir sang, I was ready to leave.  Because I felt badly about wanting to bounce immediately afterward though, I stayed a little longer in support of the other singers and musicians.

After an eternity, which was really only a few groups later, I decided it was time to go.  (There’s only so much “Did’ya, did’ya, did’ya get that power?!” I can take at these quartet-styled musicals.)  With one hand on my gig bag and the other on my head, I scurried down the aisle.  Just as I got to the exit, I heard, “Maggie Ingram and the I-i-i-i-ngra-a-a-m-ettes” roar from the emcee’s mouth.  I stopped in my tracks, spun around and said, “Wha-?!  Maggie Ingram is here?!  Not ‘Richmond, Virginia Flood’ Maggie Ingram?!”

Yes, “Richmond, Virginia Flood” Maggie Ingram.  I couldn’t get back to my original seat, up front, fast enough; I scurried back up the aisle as quickly as I had scurried down seconds earlier.  This was a lady whose songs–“Like A Ship,” and her older cuts “When Jesus Comes,” and “Got A Mind to Serve the Lord”–blared nearly every Sunday morning on my Smurf novelty transistor radio.

Well let me tell you, despite disobedient mics and a half-filled sanctuary, the statuesque COGIC evangelist and her family wrecked the house–even treating the congregation to a portion of “Richmond, Virginia Flood,” climaxed by the hard-driving “Nobody’s Fault But Mine.”

Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes are still going strong after more than five decades (even longer for the GMWA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient herself).  My pick this week is “Like A Ship” from the group’s most successful album, The Miami Riot, which reached #33 on the Billboard gospel music chart in 1988.

SuperNova – Tre Cosmos

Tre Cosmos
SuperNova

CosMuzik UniverseCity (2011)
www.cosmuzik.com
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The word “Cosmos” may sound like a space term, but according to the bio of Tre Cosmos, “in its original Greek form, the word meant divine order, purpose, and all creation. The people in those times who believed that there was an all-powerful being who created the Heavens and the Earth in its divine order believed in the Cosmos.” Tre Cosmos believes that everything and everyone has a purpose and that God created it to be exactly what it is now.

In late 2009, the multi-talented singer, writer, rapper, and producer rededicated his life (and gift) to Christ and decided to only make music that glorifies Him. At that time Tre Cosmos fully emerged, not just musically, but as a whole new way of living.

The self-proclaimed Christian Indie-Alternative Hip-Hop artist rightfully entitled his debut album SuperNova, released under his indie label CosMuzik.  All songs were written, performed, composed, and produced by Tre Cosmos.  Recorded at Spotlight Music Studios by Aaron Walker, SuperNova features elements such as acoustic pop, electro hip hop and techno, urban crossover and R&B, neo-soul, virtual orchestra, spoken word, alternative rock, and, well, genres not yet known to man.

One standout on the 12-track project is the melodic, fast moving “Dancing in Heaven” and its contrastingly slow string-laced musical postlude that turns the song into something beautifully angelic.  Other notables include the acoustic guitar driven “Hello World” and “It’s Crazy,” which showcases Tre Cosmos’ talent as both a singer and a rapper.

Tre Cosmos doesn’t want to be put in a box.  I don’t think he has that to worry about; what on earth, or in heaven, can contain a supernova?

Favorite
“Hello World”

Fever Meter
SIMMERIN’ (3 of 5 Stars)

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/20/11) – “He Did It For Me”

“He Did It For Me”
Castro Coleman and Highly Favored
From the CD, Time Out!!! (2009)
http://catcolenation.com/

Castro Coleman is busy these days.  He and his group, Castro Coleman and Highly Favored, have a packed summer schedule; he is on the road (or more fittingly, in the air) with The Melvin Williams Group as a US music ambassador through The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad; and the man owns his own label, Baby Boy Records.

He definitely has the means to release his creative energy, and that’s exactly what he’s done with “He Did It For Me” from his Time Out!!! project.

“He Did It For Me,” which he labels “New Motown,” resembles cuts by guy groups from the mid to late 1960’s and is rich with a horn section (sax and trombone) and Funk Brothers-like percussion (triangle, hand claps, and a tight crisp snare–where’s the tambourine?).  More noticeably, “He Did It For Me” is a mid-tempo feel-good ode of gratitude: “I can’t take the credit for what I have/Said my blessings keep coming through/And I realize that everything in my life–oh–is because You did it for me.”

Recap: An Evening with Brother Joseph "JoJo" Wallace & Friends

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Last weekend, a grinning and grateful Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace and his family filled the first rows of Durham’s Union Baptist Church.  The occasion was the celebration of his 65 years of ministry with one of the baddest quartets of gospel’s Golden Era, the Sensational Nightingales.  The year he joined as tenor and lead guitarist, 1946, predates the birthdates of most of the people who came to pay homage.

The appreciation musical was delightful.  The ambiance was replete with soft lighting and numerous tributes as family and group photos of Brother JoJo displayed on the projection screen.  Amid the dimly lit sanctuary, Brother JoJo was still quite visible at various times either waving his hand, smiling broadly, applauding joyously or listening attentively.
 
The only disappointments of the evening were the mediocre turnout and the noticeable absence of some well-known nearby gospel music industry comrades (save Reuben and Ruth Cooper, original members of the Triangle area’s legendary Cooper Four, a traditional group who has sung to folks in Radioland live every Sunday since 1952) for whom Brother JoJo was a way-paver.
 
His name is in gospel music books and encyclopedias, etched in the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame, and listed among nominees for the coveted Grammy Award.  Brother JoJo would never tell you of these accolades himself, though; maybe this is why some are unaware of his international acclaim.  In fact, the mention of the word “legend” causes him to clasp his jaw-dropped face and announce, “Aw! You’re making me blush!”  He’s just a blessed, spry 84 year-old servant of the Most High, he insists, who has been graced with the health and strength to travel across the country and overseas, ministering to the masses in song.
 
Brother JoJo’s unassuming disposition was spoken of by several who offered tributes during the musical, including former journalists Billy Warden and his wife Lucy Inman.  The celebration also included musical salutes by Carolyn Satterfield, Tony & the Magnificent Voices, Rufus Poole & the Stars of Faith, 12 year-old Kaleb Robinson, John Thorpe, who sang, fittingly, “It’s Your Time,” and New Hope Person Male Chorus with Libra Nicole Boyd, who traveled back in time to 1955 with the Gales’ tune “Somewhere to Lay My Head.” 
 
The most melodic sounds of the celebration came from The Hillian Sisters, a pre-Golden Era sounding trio whose harmonies, minus the soaring vocals, were as sweet as Chicago’s Barrett Sisters.  Darrell Luster (pictured at right), Gales’ former lead singer, took to the platform to sing two selections and to read a tribute from Malaco Records.  The Malaco family praised Brother JoJo for “[being] a rock for us during troubling times.”  Congratulatory letters were also received from President and First Lady Obama, Governor Bev Perdue, and Mayor Bill Bell.
 
The honoree along with the Sensational Nightingales—Horace “Sug” Thompson, Larry Moore, and guest singer and former member Ricky Luster—also treated the audience to two numbers.  Hardly able to contain himself, an overwhelmed Brother JoJo began right away: “You all just don’t know how excited I am.  God be praised!  All honor and all glory belongs to God….My heart is rejoicing.  I want to say to the saints of God, keep your hands in God’s hand, and don’t give up.  Listen carefully.”  Straightway, he strummed opening chords on his guitar, awaiting Luster’s mellow interpretation of  “Don’t Give Up.”  From there, the audience rose to its feet on the brisk-paced “Rapture,” with Thompson and Brother JoJo taking turns with the lead vocals.  The first verse, “some sweet day,” ended with a signature gesture: Brother JoJo swinging his guitar into the heavens.
 
At the close of the evening, the guest of honor trotted to the platform, either shaking hands or hugging everyone on his route, to give remarks.
 
“Thank you, Lord Jesus,” he said toward the sky, his tall, slender frame leaning into the mic.  Then to his guests, he added, “You have given me flowers that I can see today.  I have been on this journey for a long time, and I’m not ready to stop now.”


Top photo: GMF’s Libra Boyd congratulates Brother JoJo.

Second photo: Darrell Luster sings “Every Promise in the Book is Mine.”
Third photo: The Gales render “Don’t Give Up” for the audience.

Lucy Inman talks about compiling a press kit for the Nightingales that caught the attention of then-newspaper reporter Billy Warden (right), led to a front page feature on Brother JoJo, and resulted in Inman and Warden’s courtship and marriage.

The Hillian Sisters perform “All of These Years.”

John Thorpe serenades Brother JoJo with Luther Barnes’ “It’s Your Time.”

Seated at the keyboard, Libra Nicole Boyd cues in lead singer Bernard Thorpe and New Hope Person Male Chorus on the Gales’ 1955 hit “Somewhere to Lay My Head.”

Larry Moore, Ricky Luster, and members of Tony & The Magnificent Voices enjoy a musical tribute.

Program participants Dr. Tonya Armstrong, Dr. W.E. Daye, Pastor Thomas Bannister, III, Dr. Johnny Branch, and Rev. David Bell look on as Brother JoJo is feted.

 

-->Twelve year-old Kaleb Robinson meets Brother JoJo--a dream come true.  Kaleb sang "Face to Face" earlier in the evening.  This is not just some kid who gets props for being young and cute; the boy can sing.  Kaleb brought the house to its feet.  I told him afterwards that I refuse to wait: I want his autograph now.  Trust me when I tell you that "Kaleb Robinson" is a name you want to keep in mind. All photos by Libra Boyd

 

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/13/11) – “Trouble Will Be Over”

“Trouble Will Be Over”
Blest By Four
From the CD, Just Like Fire (2010)
www.mcgrecords.com

They started singing as toddlers.  No one is likely to dispute that, especially once hearing Blest By Four’s close harmonies on the punchy, mid-tempo horn-laden quartet track, “Trouble Will Be Over.”  It’s pretty obvious they’ve sung together enough to present a seemingly effortless blend in their live performances.

Marry the lyrical theme of Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires’ “When I Get Home” (from the Oh My Lord album) with the overall musical architecture of Williams Brothers’ tunes and the offspring is “Trouble Will Be Over.”

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/6/11) – “God Made Me”

“God Made Me”
Mississippi Mass Choir
From the CD, Then Sings My Soul (2011)
http://www.mississippimass.com

When Mississippi Mass Choir’s current project was released earlier this year, “God Made Me” was one song in particular that came with an abundance of encouragement.

Penned by Jules Bartholomew (“Calling My Name,” “Faithful is Our God,” “God Favors Me”) and led by Benjamin “Benjie” Cone, III in the reminiscent spoken-word fashion of his father, the number is filled with personal affirmations: “I’m a conqueror, I am victorious, I won’t be stopped–I won’t be stopped!  I’m a believer, I’m an achiever, I won’t be blocked–I won’t be blocked!”

Already enjoying a nice ride on radio waves and gospel charts, you can expect church music departments all over the country to add “God Made Me” to their repertoire of inspirational choir music.

"Spiritual" – Donald Lawrence & Company

“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence & Company
From the upcoming CD, Your Righteous Mind (Available Aug 9, 2011)
Available on iTunes

Donald Lawrence’s songs are often lifted right from the Scriptures, reminding you that the Bible is as timely as it is timeless.  Such is the matter of “Spiritual” from his forthcoming Your Righteous Mind album.

Blanche McAllister-Dykes (whom you know from Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers) delivers this number’s rich lead vocal atop a soul-infused music and choir arrangement, before Lawrence shouts out the band in the brassy musical interlude.  Die-hard Clark Sisters fans will recognize that the song’s climactic vamp makes its ascent sampling the sisters’ early 1980’s tune, “Walking in the Spirit.”

“Spiritual” is the second single from Your Righteous Mind.  The first single, which is the album’s title song and features Dorinda Clark-Cole, has been making waves since its radio debut.

Lawrence recently announced that the full-length project will drop August 9th.

Sizzlin’ This Week (5/30/11) – “Judgement”

“Judgement”
Witness
From the CD, 4 Righteousness Sake – The Process (2010)
Available on iTunes

Secular-turned-gospel rapper Darnell Deshaun Woods, also known as Witness, is fulfilling his purpose.  Rap, which his pastor says stands for “reaching all people,” is his forte.

The proof is in the pudding.  In this case, the pudding is “Judgement,” through which Witness flows over layers of electric piano, wah-wah effects, finger snaps, and luscious background vocals.  Of course, all of this is after the startling intro of shrieks, sirens, and shots followed by his plea: “Father, help me get it right before You return.  I don’t want to hear you say those words, ‘Depart from me, I know you not.'”

“Judgement” is a personal and soulful track brought to us by a talented and reflective witness.

Sizzlin’ This Week (5/23/11) – “I Hear the Sound”

“I Hear the Sound”
Maurette Brown Clark
From the upcoming CD, The Sound of Victory (Summer 2011)
www.maurettebrownclark.com

Maurette Brown Clark’s new single, “I Hear the Sound” has been heating up radio and is now available on iTunes.

The energetic praise song is from her soon-to-come fourth project entitled The Sound of Victory, which was recorded live in Norfolk, VA on AIR Gospel/Malaco and features a DVD component.

Encouraging lyrics and a contagious melody make “I Hear the Sound” the perfect soundtrack for your victory party.

“Back To You” – Dorinda Clark-Cole

“Back To You”
Dorinda Clark-Cole
From the upcoming CD to be released late summer 2011
www.dorindaclarkcole.net

This is not your mama’s Dorinda Clark-Cole.

You–and your mama–have come to know her as the jazzy, churchy one.  Her new single “Back To You” is fresh and her riffs are indeed jazzy; but this track is definitely not churchy.  Nevertheless, such a departure from the Clark-Cole blueprint demonstrates what fans have known all along: this sister can sing anything, and rest assured it will be packed with punch, passion, and power.

Vocally, the legendary Clark sister skillfully sprinkles in some R&B flavor while remaining true to her signature stylings.  It’s obvious that “Back To You” is intentionally urban and deliberately Dorinda.

Generations of Clark-Cole fans should truly expect the forthcoming full-length project to have a little something on it for everybody–and their mama.