Tag: Reviews

"Do What Jesus Says" – Jenise La Vonne

“Do What Jesus Says”
Jenise La Vonne (2013)
Available at iTunes

Jenise La Vonne "Do What Jesus Says" art work

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

There’s something about Jenise La Vonne that makes her message instantly believable.  Maybe it’s that she conveys the lyrics of her single “Do What Jesus Says” with a not-often-used combination of gentle earnest.  Perhaps it’s because she sings as if the lyrics are a part of her lived experience.  Whatever the likely reason, when Jenise ascends to the uppers of her alto register to reiterate, “I’ll only do what, I’ll only do what, I’ll only do what Jesus says,” you get that she means it.

It’s just that simple.

And nearly as simple is the accompaniment, notably the barely audible strings underneath the more prominent acoustic guitar (and its periodic fret noise). Occasionally, Jenise backs herself like a reassuring voice of wisdom in the unhurried, introspective ballad.

Jenise is originally from Norcross, GA.  The singer/songwriter, aspiring author, and thespian describes her sound as a blend of contemporary gospel and contemporary christian.  This particular track leans strongly and beautifully toward the latter.

"So Good" – Ruth La'Ontra

“So Good”
Ruth La’Ontra
From the CD, So Good (2013)
Tyscot Records
Ruth La'Ontra So Good art work

By Shaundria Williams
Special Contributor 

Music lovers have all kinds of music.  Music for exercising, music for long drives, music for cleaning the house, music for getting ready for church—we create the soundtrack of our lives.  That being said, Ruth La’Ontra’s debut project, So Good, is SO GOOD!  Cousin Ruth (in my Kirk Franklin voice) has sung me
to work for a couple of months now.  Although her entire project is phenomenal, one song has been on repeat: the title track, “So Good.”

 
This neo-quartetish ballad reminds me of all-night “sangings” way back over in the woods.  You know the ones that started at three in the afternoon and didn’t end until ten or twelve at night?  In this scenario, Ruth La’Ontra’s group would sing after the offering.  And if they managed to complete their selections without singing “it,” you’d be sure to see members of the congregation with their index fingers up motioning for an usher, then handing over a folded slip of paper and whispering, “Give this to Ruth so she can sing ‘So Good.’” 
 
It starts out as a gentle conversation between God and His beloved child.  God simply asks her, “How does it feel…” followed by several illustrations of His loving kindness.  She simply replies, “It feels good, good to me.”  Somewhere around three minutes (2:53 to be exact), Sis. Ruth thinks about that “thang” and decides to tell God JUST how good He is to her.  As she testifies, her background vocalists support her with a simple refrain: “So good.”  The harmonies along with the horns are sure to spur a good “stank face.”  As for Sis. Ruth, I believe she’s got a little preach in her.  Check in tomorrow to read Shaundria’s interview with La’Ontra.
____________________________

Upcoming Event: Want to see Ruth La’Ontra in person?  She will minister in song on February 1, 2014, at Aberdeen Elementary School at 7:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM).  For more information, find her on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also follow her on SocialCam, Instagram, and YouTube.

"Be Holy" – Jason Coleman f. Thomas Clay

“Be Holy”
Jason Coleman feat. Thomas Clay
From the CD, Your Mercies (2013)
JLC Muzik
Available at iTunes

Jason Coleman Your Mercies cover art
By Jane White
Special Contributor
 
Jason Coleman is a lyricist with an aspiration to write, arrange, produce, and perform music that is consistent with the holy scriptures and brings glory to the name of Christ. This Kingdom mindset is deployed in his contemporary worship song entitled, “Be Holy” featuring Thomas Clay, wherein we are reminded that “the word of our God stands forever,” that we should stand on His living word, and that we should be holy!  Coleman’s lyrics have biblical denotations and his contemporary worship melodies exhort.
 
Jason Coleman is a Carneys Point, NJ native who started playing drums at the age of four and has played, recorded, and toured with many gospel/Christian artists, including Tye Tribbett, Freddy Washington, and Da Truth. 

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"What A Holiday" – Maurice Griffin

“What A Holiday”
Maurice Griffin
From CD, My Holiday (2013)
MGM Chicago Music Group
http://mauricegriffinonline.com

There’s nothing like a feel-good song to get you in the spirit of Christmas, and Maurice Griffin taps into the Memphis soul sound (think Al Green) to do just that.

Griffin’s melismas in “What A Holiday” meet up with a slapping bass and brilliant horns to bring you the same infectious energy that he transmitted to BET Sunday Best 2 viewers when he was a finalist.

The full-length Christmas project, My Holiday, is available at iTunes.

"Noel" – Daphney Hilton

“Noel”
Daphney Hilton (2013)
Available at http://daphneyhilton.bandcamp.com

Daphney Hilton creates holiday nostalgia with her rendition of “Noel,” fashioned from the traditional carol, “The First Noel.”

Hilton’s “Noel” is a cozy jazz/soul remake of the Christmas hymn, textured with her sultry alto and melodic background repetitions of “Noel, Noel, He is the king of Israel.”

The single is also featured on the project, Silverwood Holiday Music, Vol. 1.

"I Run to You" – LaTonya Earl

“I Run to You”
LaTonya Earl
From the CD, Steppin’ Out on Faith (2012)
National & Independent Gospel Music Association
Available on Amazon

LaTonya Earl

Every now and then, there is a worship song that, upon hearing for the very first time, instantly rests on one’s heart as if it were written by the self directly to the Heavenly Father.  This is the mark of an effective worship piece: masses can intimately connect to it and to God.  When such a song is then ministered by a worshipper who is also a skilled singer and musician, the effect is nearly indescribable.  I shall try to describe it, nevertheless; for LaTonya Earl’s self-written “I Run to You” has to be one of the best pieces I’ve reviewed this year. Period.

The first thing one notices about Earl’s alto is its texture.  Masterfully, she allows her tone do the work in this selection.  Jazz nuances are present both in the psalmist’s vocal as well as the piano accompaniment, but neither overshadows the lyrics: “I run to the altar with my hands lifted high / Lord I surrender, You’re the reason why / I live, I move, I have my being / I run to the altar…I run to You.”

Earl is from Houston, TX and was nominated this past year for Rhythm of Gospel awards in five categories, including Songwriter of the Year for “I Run to You.”  The song is presented on the National & Independent Gospel Music Association’s Steppin’ Out on Faith CD.  (There is a version in the works for her own full-length project that will feature a spoken-word altar call and extended vamp.)


Rarely, if ever, have I made this kind of endorsement on GMF, but “I Run to You”–both this version and the version to come–is a must-have for your worship collection.

Check in tomorrow to read GMF’s interview with LaTonya.