Category: Reviews

“Praise the Name” – Melanie Waldman

“Praise the Name”
Melanie Waldman (2021)
Melanie Waldman Music

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Like many, Melanie Waldman’s 2020 was filled with transition and uncertainty. Drawn to the scriptures as her anchor, the worship leader began writing and has now released the worship single, “Praise the Name.”

“Praise the Name” is based on Psalm 107 and is the first single from Melanie’s forthcoming album, PSALMSONGS, which features more self-written tunes inspired by the book of Psalms. Produced by Lori Chaffer, “Praise the Name” is expressed with old and new sounds in instrumentation as well as through Melanie’s airy legato approach, particularly in the worship tune’s chorus. “Praise the name of the Lord our God,” she croons. “He is loving. He is kind…”

In addition to leading worship and writing, Melanie is a speaker and wife. She and her husband Scott split their time between New Jersey and Nashville.

“Get Ready” – Darwin Hobbs

“Get Ready”
Darwin Hobbs (2021)
HeartART Worship
https://smarturl.it/HobbsGetReady

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Darwin Hobbs is back and his new single “Get Ready” hits as if he never left. Hobbs hasn’t recorded an album in a decade, using his time away from the industry to regain a sense of focus and purpose. Now not only has he released new music, but he’s done so through his own company, HeartART Worship, a community for creative worship artisans wherein pastors, leaders, musicians, and others will foster opportunities for mentorship, discipleship, and creative expression. The mid-tempo horn-driven declaration of expectancy (shout out to Mo’Horns brass band) is HeartART Worship’s first release.

In addition to his latest endeavors, Hobbs serves as a worship leader at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY.

“What A Friend” – Elder Randall Ogans, Sr.

“What A Friend”
Elder Randall Ogans, Sr.
From the CD, What A Friend (2020)
https://elderrandalloganssr.hearnow.com/

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Elder Randall Ogans, Sr.’s arrangement of “What A Friend” is like chicken soup for the soul. The jazz-infused instrumental is the title track from his debut gospel jazz CD, on which son Dorian is a featured musician and co-producer.

“What A Friend” opens with the lull of an acoustic piano, shaping each note of the melody into a reminder of the solace we and the generations before us have found in the 19th-century hymn. Ogans’ arrangement then blossoms into a full-bodied smooth instrumental, replete with electric piano, organ, pads, and percussion.

The track was recorded at Ogans’ own Alpha 7 Ministries Studios in Roseville, CA.

“Oh My Lord” – God’s Example

“Oh My Lord”
God’s Example (2020)
www.gemuzik.com

God's Example cover art

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Urban contemporary group God’s Example drops bars lamenting racial and social unrest, COVID-19, political party divides, and other issues of the day in the single, “Oh My Lord.” Relying on the hope of overcoming turbulent times, the group says the countdown is on for the end of “Pharoah’s gig” and calls for kingdom reformation.

It’s a heavy message that pivots to a decidedly optimistic declaration: “He said He’ll never leave me / Neither will He forsake me / If He said it, I believe it / If He spoke it, I receive it / And I won’t let nobody shake me!”

Musically, God’s Example packages “Oh My Lord” with ample urban contemporary bop and a quick traditional quartet hump – all before the track reaches the three-minute mark. A certain aural nostalgia makes it apparent to me that The Winans are among the group’s musical influences. It’s definitely a compliment to the style of these four biological brothers whose quartet originated in Florida under the leadership of their father, Pastor Emaniuel Roberts.

“Heart’s Cry” – Hope McCants

“Heart’s Cry”
Hope McCants (October 2, 2020)
Hope McCants Ministry

Hope McCants

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Austere simplicity is the hallmark of Hope McCants’ self-written single “Heart’s Cry,” a personal petition for more of God. The vertical worship tune begins with Hope echoing sentiments of the psalmist David, as written in Psalm 63, longing for God as one who thirsts for water in an arid desert. Antonio Black of MB Production accompanies on keys and strings as Hope, whose natural vibrato emerges as the prominent stylistic element in her otherwise deliberately unpretentious performance, lays bare her heart before an audience of One. The rest of us might feel privileged to overhear and make her prayer our own.

Hope serves in ministry with her husband, Pastor Michael L. McCants. She is currently co-pastor at East Point Church of the Nazarene in Atlanta.

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck” – Shirley Caesar

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck”
Shirley Caesar (September 11, 2020)
Shu-Bel Records/Red Alliance Media
http://smarturl.it/shirleycaesar

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck” is one of the most direct and impassioned calls to action for social and racial justice that Pastor Shirley Caesar has issued in song. That speaks volumes for a gospel legend whose nearly seven decades of recording stretch across many of our nation’s darkest days of bigotry, segregation, and injustice.

In the riveting single co-written with Michael Mathis, Pastor Caesar speaks frankly about George Floyd’s May 2020 “lynching in broad daylight,” during which Minneapolis police officers held him in place with a knee to his neck until he lost consciousness. Floyd’s death was followed by days of demonstrations around the country. The track opens with crowd chants of “I can’t breathe!” – the last words of too many who have died in officer-involved encounters. Caesar minces no words addressing this and related acts of police brutality.

“Take your knee off my neck!”

“Enough is enough!”

“Stop killing our sons and daughters!”

“Leave us alone!”

She speaks the names of several other victims as well: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland. The roll call of Black lives taken senselessly never ceases to stir deep emotions for me, and this context is no different. “You’re gonna reap what you’ve sowed,” Caesar warns the evildoers.

The straightforward message of “Take Your Knee Off My Neck” is driven by the song’s pulsating rhythm section. It’s an auditory evocation of trifold symbolism. Caesar’s finger is on the pulse of the times, singing pointedly about defenseless hearts that have stopped beating at the hands of their cold-hearted murderers.

Despite the circumstances that make “Take Your Knee Off My Neck” a necessary and urgent call to action, Caesar doesn’t confront the oppressors without lifting up the oppressed. “Beautiful Black people,” she sings, “hold your head up high. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Black lives matter!”

“God Is Love” – Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte

“God Is Love”
Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte (LSOC) (2020)
www.facebook.com/LSOC2014

Steve Dalton & LSOC God is Love cover artBy Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers’ riveting vocals and soul-rousing lyrics minister to the brokenhearted and the downtrodden through their latest single, “God Is Love.” It is a powerful but simple message, packaged with an upbeat tempo, which serves as a vivid reminder of the all-embracing reach of the love of God.  Dalton’s finely calibrated declarations mixed with LSOC’s stylistic background vocals that are centered around God’s love will uplift your spirit and stir up your soul.  The ensemble’s vocal vitality and beats are contagious, and as you listen you will be transformed from tapping your toes, praising and worshiping, to eventually pointing to yourself in the mirror and singing, “He’ll never stop loving you!”

“God Is Love” is the first single from Steve Dalton & LSOC’s upcoming EP, The Introduction.

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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

“Look to the Hills” – Rev. Luther Barnes & The Restoration Worship Center Choir

“Look to the Hills”
Rev. Luther Barnes & The Restoration Worship Center Choir
From the forthcoming CD, Look to the Hills (available May 29, 2020)
www.shanachie.com 
  
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor 

In “Look to the Hills,” Reverend Luther Barnes and The Restoration Worship Center Choir harmoniously encourage us with a testimony of the unstoppable miracles that only God can perform. Allow this song to reach deep down into your spirit with the reassuring message that whatever you’re facing is gonna get better for you if you just “look to the hills and be blessed!”

Barnes adheres to his signature smooth delivery and relatable lyrics, which he co-wrote with the late Derrick Adams, and both will entice you to sing along and encourage yourself.  “Look to the Hills” is an amazing song – powerful and much needed during this national crisis. 


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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

"Foot of the Cross" – Loni Crawford

“Foot of the Cross”
Loni Crawford (2020)
 

By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

Get ready for a fresh soothing sound with a sprinkling of traditional gospel with Loni Crawford’s “Foot of the Cross.”  As Loni ushers in God’s spirit, you can see yourself in the comforting presence of the Holy Ghost.

On the Cross, Jesus effectively paid the price for our redemption from sin and death. He is the powerful victor and has been exalted to the heavenly realms. So, close your eyes and see yourself after an exhausting, challenging day of work or dealing with difficult people – whether it be coworkers, children, or family members – putting on your headset and relaxing in your favorite chair.  Then, picture yourself letting the relaxing instrumentals and the tranquil vocals envelop you in the arms of safety, peace, and joy.  As you do so, you’ll notice Loni’s sprinkling of the traditional coming to the fore with the hymn “At the Cross,” a thematic reiteration that it’s where she longs to be.

Loni has served as a worship leader at various churches and has shared the gospel in America and abroad.  The Detroit born and reared singer currently resides in Birmingham, AL.

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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

“Love Is A God Word” – Samuel Obie

“Love Is A God Word”
Samuel Obie
From the CD, Cat-A-Fly (2019)
Available on all digital outlets 

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Samuel Obie foregoes excessive vocals and layers of synthesized sound to deliver the current single from his Cat-A-Fly CD, “Love Is A God Word.”

Obie is a songwriter.  His songs have been recorded by three of the biggest names in gospel music: Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, and John P. Kee.  Notwithstanding, in this particular composition, the only lyric you’ll hear shows up in the refrain and is the song’s title.  Perhaps this is because Obie is also a seasoned musician.  On this inspirational jazz piece, he chooses to put his organ chops front and center.  It’s a tasteful choice with nimble, expressive fingerwork that interprets love’s divinity in both melody and timbre while the supporting instruments know their place and contently ride the groove.

Obie is a native of Hillsborough, NC who presently resides in the Charlotte metro area.