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"He'll Fix It" – Apostle James Alston and Fellowship

“He’ll Fix It”
Apostle James Alston and Fellowship
From the CD, The Movement (2013)
Available at iTunes

Apostle James Alston and Fellowship

“He’ll Fix It” has several of the ingredients expected in a down-home quartet drive: bass and drums in the pocket, screams, shouts, intense throaty lead vocals, and tag-team exchanges in the vamp.  Apostle James Alston goes to work early in the number before “feel[ing] this thing in [his] sanctified soul]” and letting out a screeching yelp.

Lead guitar kicks off the foot-stomper, followed by Apostle Alston and Fellowship who charge off full speed ahead: “My God will fix it for you / Runnin’ out of money–He’ll fix that too / Doctors quit on you and walked away / My God will fix it for you.” Javon Johnson trades lines with Apostle Alston in the vamp.

A native of Henderson, NC, Apostle Alston and Fellowship are presently based in Portsmouth, VA.

R.I.P. Michael Whitfield

GMF is sad to report that Michael Whitfield passed today (Jan. 6). Michael was a former member of Willie Banks and the Messengers and a gifted musician (proficient in several instruments), singer, and songwriter. 


Michael devoted his life to music as evidenced by the number of groups he performed with locally and the area choirs and ensembles he either founded or directed.  For several years, he could be heard on Roxboro, NC’s radio station, WRXO, “live” every Sunday morning with popular local group, The Gospel Supremes, as well as with his father, bass singer Roosevelt Whitfield and the Silver Moon Quartet.


Michael independently released several recordings throughout his music career and was the minister of music at Union Grove Baptist Church in Hurdle Mills at the time of his passing.

GMF’s founder and editor Libra Boyd remembers, “I’ve known Michael all my life, and in our community, Michael blazed a trail for those of us who were young musicians. He was a person of artistic excellence, and he demanded the same pursuit of excellence from those whom he trained, directed, and worked with musically.  For that, he has always had my utmost respect. 

“I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to sit down with him some years ago–while I was still in college–and talk with him at length.  He was patient, because I grilled him! (laugh) We got a chance to share our visions with each other as well as our rationales for doing what we do.  Michael is no doubt a legend in my mind, because 1) he paid his dues, and 2) he paved the way for aspiring musicians like me.”


GMF extends condolences to Michael’s wife Rita, son Maurice, and all of his family and friends.


Visitation
Friday, January 10, 2014
1 – 7 PM
Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service
603 S. Main Street
Roxboro, NC 27573


Homegoing Service
Saturday, January 11, 2014
2 PM
Union Grove Baptist Church
3081 Union Grove Church Road
Hurdle Mills, NC 27541

"Rejoice With Me" – Bobby Jones f. Faith Evans

“Rejoice With Me”
Bobby Jones f. Faith Evans (2013)
EchoPark JDI/Caroline/Capitol Records

Bobby Jones and Faith Evans

Dr. Bobby Jones is a legend, arguably not so much for his musicality as for his flagship show, Bobby Jones Gospel, the longest-running show on cable TV.  His legendary status may be attributed in part to the manner in which he advances gospel music as art by graciously extending his national platform to other talented acts across all subgenres of gospel and inspirational music.  

Through the years, Dr. Jones has been blessed to score many memorable collaborations (Dr. Maya Angelou, Donald Lawrence, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Barbara Mandrell, et al.) for his projects; the latest of which, “Rejoice With Me,” features R&B diva Faith Evans.  NSC (formerly known as the Nashville Super Choir) joins in on the uptempo contempo radio-friendly tune.

Following a brief intro, Dr. Jones steps aside from the mic, allowing Evans to do her thing.  Characteristically, the soprano’s riffs and runs soar effortlessly as she exhorts, “Trust God to work it out / All you gotta do is shout!” 

Dr. Jones’ full-length project is expected to drop on March 25, 2014.

Boyd: "Let's make 2014 the best year yet for advancing gospel music"

Happy New Year! 

It’s another new year, and I wish to take this moment to thank you for your continued support, prayers, and well wishes throughout 2013.  Thank you for your ongoing interest in GMF; you have been reading, commenting, and telling others about the site, and many of you have also submitted great music.  Thank you!
Last year this time, GMF was a Rhythm of Gospel Award nominee for Internet Media Group of the Year.  This year, because of you and the Rhythm of Gospel voting board, GMF is an award-winning blog.  Thank God and thank you!
Let’s make 2014 the best year yet for the advancement of gospel music by moving forward with great expectations for God, self, and the art form. 


Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
Gospel Music Fever

GMF Editor’s Picks of 2013

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The end of another year is upon us, and 2013 brought with it some wonderful gospel music. Here’s my list of picks for this year.  This list includes only the songs I have reviewed and featured on GMF in 2013.  

LaTonya Earl's "I Run to You" is the GMF editor's pick of 2013.
LaTonya Earl

“I Run to You” 
LaTonya Earl

“He Rescued Me”
Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony


“Won’t Be Like This Always”
PreZ Blackmon

“New Beginnings”
Linda Clark

 
“Joy Comes in the Morning”
 
“Gud 2 Me”
 
“Ready Aim”
“Greater Is Coming”
 

“Heaven”
Changed

“God Brought Us From A Mighty Long Way”
The Yancey Family Singers

"God Can / You Give Me" [Double Single] – Tim Spady & Inspiration

“God Can / You Give Me” [Double Single]
Tim Spady & Inspiration
From the upcoming CD, Just Believe (Available 2014)
Available on iTunes

Tim Spady & Inspiration art workTim Spady has been making music for most of his 20-something year life. By the time he was a teenager, he was playing for the children’s choir at his aunt’s church and through his college years, he continued to hone his God-given gifts. 

Tim Spady & Inspiration’s double single is the most recent offering—the introduction to their forthcoming project, Just Believe.  “God Can,” an inspirational tune as soothing as its title, features the sultry soprano of Vanessa Williams along with musical stylings reminiscent of the Kurt Carr Singers.  The second single, “You Give Me” featuring Walt Anderson, picks up the tempo and takes it on an urban spin.  Both tracks are right at home among today’s roster of inspirational and contemporary music.

Paul Porter – The Healing Testimony [Video]

Motown Gospel artist Paul Porter, formerly of the Christianaires, shares a powerful testimony of God’s miracle-working power.

Watch as he recalls the long road to recovery from blindness, an aneurysm, and subsequent paralysis.


"Stand Up" – LaJaye Britt

“Stand Up”
LaJaye Britt (2013)
Rebel Hill Music LLC/My Q Music Group
Available on iTunes

LaJaye Britt art work stand up

LaJaye Britt hit the music scene in the 90’s with an R&B single, which partly explains the vibe of his current gospel offering, “Stand Up,” and its occasional Ronald Isley nuances.

For the entire three and a half minutes, the Goldsboro, NC native empowers one to emerge from setbacks and “stand up, stand up…stop lettin’ the devil hold you down.”  Suffice it to say that “Stand Up” runs on a full tank of motivation.

In addition to being a singer/songwriter, producer, and musician, LaJaye is the chief apostle of Kingdom Love Fellowship, Inc., based in LaGrange, NC.