Tag: Contemporary
“Walk in the Spirit” – Ellen Hayes
“Walk in the Spirit”
Ellen Hayes feat. Cynthia Gross
From the full-length project, We Owe It All To You (2022)
https://meetellenhayes.com/
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Ellen Hayes’ single, “Walk in the Spirit,” is inspired by 2 Corinthians 3:17. Using the scripture’s message, she has written a rousing song of instruction that her daughter Cynthia Gross delivers. Attention is easily focused squarely on the lyrics as both Cynthia’s approach and the music are refreshingly simplistic. Hayes is known for writing songs with lyrics taken directly from scripture, and “Walk in the Spirit” adheres to her signature writing style. The track is from her current release, We Owe It All to You.
Based in Michigan, Hayes is a noted organist, pianist, vocalist, songwriter, choir director and four-time Rhythm of Gospel nominee.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
“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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
“Unpredictable God” – Zak Williams & 1/AKORD
“Unpredictable God”
Zak Williams & 1/AKORD ft. David Wilford and Thomas Clay
From the album, The Next Chapter (2019)
www.zakwillmuzik.com
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
With upbeat contemporary instrumentals, Zak Williams and 1/AKORD are united together to uplift the word of God through “Unpredictable God.” This is one melody that will get you into the praise and worship mood. Founder and front-man Zak Williams has created and cultivated a spirited vocal choir with original and unhindered delivery of the lyrics that resound, “You’re the awesome One / A sovereign God / A holy King of Kings / Unpredictable God!”
You will tap your toes, lift your hands, and sing along while the expressive lead guitar interlude ushers you to unpredictable lyrics: “Oh! Oh! Oh! You are! Come let us adore Him!” It turns out to be a surprising yet pleasant aural demonstration of how unpredictable God is. Keep on tapping your toes and worshiping Him.
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Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
“All Glory to the Lamb” – Michael L. McCants and ANSI Worshippers
“All Glory to the Lamb”
Michael L. McCants and ANSI Worshippers
From The Vows EP (2018)
www.facebook.com/mlmccantsministries
By Janie Sheeley-TorainGMF Special Contributor
Get ready to get your praise dance on! Michael L. McCants and ANSI Worshippers bring an island vibe to worship with “All Glory to The King.” Bongos, maracas, and a hint of Caribbean flavor punctuate the contemporary praise and worship tune–not to mention vocal harmonies that even non-singers find
singable.
singable.
McCants is the founder of A New Start International (ANSI) Church of the Nazarene, Impact Church of the Nazarene with locations in Florence and Columbia, SC, WFMI iFaith Radio Network, and Faith on Demand Entertainment & Management Group. He presently leads East Point Church of the Nazarene in Atlanta.
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.
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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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
“I Am More Than A Conqueror” – Tonya Lewis Taylor
“I Am More Than A Conqueror”
Tonya Lewis Taylor
From the forthcoming EP, I Am More Than A Conqueror (Available 2019)
www.tonyalewistaylor.com
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Scriptural affirmations frame the premise for Tonya Lewis Taylor’s self-written and produced single “I Am More Than A Conqueror.”
The mid-tempo contemporary track features Taylor and her backing choir engaging in vocal interplay to proclaim, “I am more than a conqueror; through Christ, I can do all things!”
Taylor seamlessly melds ministry and uplift in her music, including her other singles “I’m A Winner” and “Delayed But Not Denied.” It stands to reason; the singer is also a minister and empowerment coach.
If you’re itching to hear another good choir tune, Tonya Lewis Taylor’s current single “I Am More Than A Conqueror” is sure to be music to your ears.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
“Your Love” – Enin Perryman
“Your Love”
Enin Perryman (2018)
www.eninperryman.com
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
Listening to “Your Love” is like being in a movie theater with surround sound. Just like surround sound, Enin Perryman’s single creates a sensation of empowering love coming from any horizontal direction–360° around the listener–and brings you along with him to have you tapping your toes and ready to tell the world of your victories too. Prepare yourself to allow his rich sound–which occasionally ascends into his falsetto register–and captivating lyrics to take you back to a moment when you felt the overwhelming presence of the Almighty‘s love. Through “Your Love,” the Atlanta-based singer, songwriter, and pastor assures you that Jesus is with you through any challenge that you face.
Perryman, whose talents have afforded him performances and collabs with Usher, Quincy Jones, Prince, and others, is preparing to release a full-length project in 2019.
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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and lifelong 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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
"You Are" – Tomisena
“You Are”
Tomisena (2018)
Available at iTunes
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
“You Are” is the current single from North Carolina-based singer, songwriter, and speaker, Tomisena Hatchett.
From beginning to end, Tomisena’s expressive voice and well-placed vibrato engage you to worship, sing along, rewind, and do it again while reminiscing about the times in your life that you knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Almighty was, lyrically speaking, “a mighty strong tower” who carried, kept, and guided you.
Tomisena’s contemporary worship song is a must-listen.
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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and lifelong 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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
"Still Alive (I Survived)" – Lucinda Moore
“Still Alive (I Survived)”
Lucinda Moore (2018)
Nalah Music Group
www.facebook.com/LucindaMooreOne
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
Lucinda Moore’s message to encourage oneself, never give up, and acknowledge the need for help beyond one’s own strength is evident in her current single, “Still Alive (I Survived).” The Stellar Award-winning songstress co-wrote her testimony with Grammy-winning producer Cedric Thompson after learning that her heart stopped during spinal surgery in 2015.
Lucinda’s dynamic vocals punctuate the song’s overarching message to the hearers that they too can get through the everyday challenges of life, rising from their valley experiences to the mountaintop: “You’re the only One who heard my silent cry / I’m still alive–I survived!” By the culmination of the song, I can see myself getting my praise on at the top of the hill–Rocky Balboa style!
“Still Alive (I Survived)” brightens the path to listeners’ purpose and destiny. When the struggles of day-to-day duties seem to get to you, pull out the electronic device of choice, put in your earbuds, and let Lucinda enlighten you on how to be a survivor.
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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and lifelong 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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
“Young & Strong” – Sidney Buckner and Youth In Unity
“Young & Strong”
Sidney Buckner & Youth In Unity (2018)
Available at iTunes
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
Can anything “good” come out of Chicago? Absolutely, especially if it’s gospel; after all, the city gave birth to it. Another resounding “yes” nods to Sidney Buckner, who has mentored and trained a group of young people who are on fire for the Lord and willing to minister and encourage the youth in spiritual songs. We can hear Sidney Buckner and Youth In Unity (YIU) encouraging other young people through their moderately paced urban contemporary single to serve God while they are “Young & Strong.” The song’s lyrics, primarily sung in unison, tell of the choir’s determination to be victorious in life through acknowledging and serving Jesus: “So I’ll pray a little harder, get acquainted with the Father, learn to be a little smarter, while I’m young and I am strong.”
YIU lets us know that there will be mistakes along the way, but if we listen to the words that we have been taught, pray, and seek Jesus for guidance and understanding, we will defeat the enemy of our soul. Relax, listen, and be refreshed by the Scripture which tells us to “remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, King James Version).
Sidney Buckner and YIU have ministered throughout the Chicago area and have recorded two live CD projects.
Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and lifelong 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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.
"Confident" – Modern Day Cure
“Confident”
Modern Day Cure (2017)
www.moderndaycure.com
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
More than ever, we as the people of God and especially our young people, need music that encourages us to not only confidently face day-to-day situations, but face the future with confidence in the Lord. Thanks, Modern Day Cure.
“You know–that you know–that you know!” Modern Day Cure, a Nashville-based worship band, helps listeners be self-assured that they will not be abandoned; left to their own devices. Rather, they will look back over the challenges that God has brought them through and be “Confident”!
– Confident that God finishes what He starts!
– Confident that God will honor His promises!
– Confident that God will be with you until the end and forever more!
Modern Day Cure is led by Aaron and Tamar Chipp. “Confident” is the contemporary worship single from their forthcoming EP.
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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.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.