Tag: Reviews

"Redeemed" – The Golden Wings Quartet

“Redeemed”
The Golden Wings Quartet
From the CD, Redeemed – Live in Richmond, VA (2013)
4 Winds Records

Golden Wings Quartet artwork

The Golden Wings Quartet’s new stomper “Redeemed” is the kind of song that makes Tupelo synonymous with downhome quartet music these days.

Written by guitar beast Alton Hollis, the song takes its place among others that affirm the oft told conversion story: “I’ve been saved / I’ve been sanctified / I feel alright / I’ve been redeemed!”

The Golden Wings Quartet was formed in 1970, and has traveled extensively spreading the gospel message.

"Leave It All Behind" – Bona

“Leave It All Behind”
Bona (2013)
http://bonasings.com

Bona Leave It All Behind art work

DC area singer/songwriter, guitarist and worship leader Bona ministers a timeless lesson for humanity with her acoustic tune “Leave It All Behind.”

Bona calls her genre acoustic soul worship.  In sultry, yet organic, folksy fashion, she talks about the discipline to forgive, concluding that “sometimes letting go means you gain so much more.”

"Turn Up The Praises" – Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship

“Turn Up The Praises”
Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship
From the CD, Chosen (2013)
www.brianhamiltonmusic.com

Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship art work

Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship want you to take your praise to a whole ‘notha level, and they tag one of today’s popular catchphrases to make the point.

“Turn Up The Praises” is a celebratory song that fuses the styles of Fred Hammond, Israel & New Breed, and Tye Tribbett to create something unique for the Toronto native and his group.

“Turn it up to another level….Lift Jesus higher!” exhorts the high energy ensemble of young adults.

Hamilton, a worship leader and songwriter, founded Divine Worship in 2006.  The single “Turn Up The Praises” is featured on the group’s current CD Chosen, available on iTunes.

"New Beginnings" – Linda Clark

“New Beginnings”
Linda Clark
From the CD, New Beginnings (2013)
www.lindaclarkmusic.com

Linda Clark New Beginnings art work

Ever so soothingly, Linda Clark reiterates that “old things have passed away; behold, I’m new in Christ in today. I’m new in Christ; this is my new beginning.”

Warm strings prepare the way for Linda’s flawless vocal, and even when she ascends through her register, the tenderness of the self-penned ballad abides.

Clark’s artistry has gained attention from music heavyweights like Al Jarreau, Israel Houghton, and Vickie Winans. Presently, she serves as overseer and worship leader under the pastoral care of Bishop Daniel Robertson, Jr. and Co-Pastor Elena Robertson at Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries in Richmond, VA.

"You Can Do Anything" – Kendall Triplett

“You Can Do Anything”
Kendall Triplett (2013)
Available on iTunes

Kendall Triplett You Can Do Anything art work

Kendall Triplett could sing R&B; it’s clear he’s been influenced by the genre.  He could dabble in jazz too.  So, I think it’s pretty cool that he’s choosing to bring fresh music to the gospel scene.  Don’t get me wrong though: “You Can Do Anything” is one of those upbeat R&B/pop inspirational tunes that stretches beyond gospel’s boundaries.

The track is written by Grammy nominated songwriter Delisha Thomas (who’s also written for Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, et al.). Triplett, himself a songwriter in addition to a talented vocalist, has plans to release a full-length project later this year entitled Lose Myself.

"God Has Been So Good to Me" – The Brooklyn Allstars

“God Has Been So Good to Me”
The Brooklyn Allstars
From the CD, Live in Richmond, VA (2013)
4 Winds Records

Brooklyn Allstart Live in Richmond art work

“Even a blind man can see how good God’s been to me,” declare The Brooklyn Allstars in their uptempo number, “God Has Been So Good to Me.”  The single, which expresses a widely shared sentiment, appears on the group’s CD, Live in Richmond, VA, due out today.

Founder Rev. Thomas Spann, whose bass ad-libs are sprinkled along the single’s backdrop, talked with GMF’s Libra Boyd in June about the Allstars’ signature sound.  You can read it here: Brooklyn Allstars’ Thomas Spann reflects on “signature sound that I didn’t realize I had”.

"Withholding Nothing" – William McDowell

“Withholding Nothing”
William McDowell (2013)
www.williammcdowellmusic.com

William McDowell

William McDowell’s single “Withholding Nothing” is one of the newest songs to
lead hearts into worship everywhere.  His music has done no differently
in times past; for the singer/songwriter’s gifts have blessed the masses
with “I Give Myself Away” and “I Won’t Go Back.”

“Withholding Nothing” stays true to McDowell’s characteristically simple and
passionate worship: “I surrender all to You / Everything I give to You /
Withholding nothing…”  In fact, the song is already being added to
worship leaders’ setlists.

“Never Let Go” – Shabach Ministering Team

“Never Let Go”
Shabach Ministering Team
From the CD, So Amazing (2012)
Indie
Available at CD Baby

Shabach Ministering Team So Amazing art work
Rosana Goodloe and Montra Roberts aka Shabach Ministering Team allow us to listen in on their conversation with the Master in “Never Let Go.”
“In my darkness, You have proven to be strong / And in my storms, Lord, You’ve never left me alone….Now I know that I can still be strong / and I can still hold on…”
 
The team has been helping to set atmospheres for worship for more than a decade.  Written by Jarrell Goodloe and produced by Trey Corley, “Never Let Go” is from their CD, So Amazing.

"Gotta Believe in Me" [Audio] – Ebony Archer

“Gotta Believe in Me”
Ebony Archer
From the upcoming EP, The Breakthrough (Fall 2013)
www.ebony-archer.com

Ebony Archer Gotta Believe in Me art work
Here’s one to sing to yourself in the mirror every morning: “Doesn’t matter if I fall / Gonna make it through it all / For now I see / Gotta believe in me!”  Better yet, let gospel and inspirational pop artist Ebony Archer sing it for you; she has the chops as well as the infectious dance track to go with it. “Gotta Believe in Me” is part of her forthcoming five-track EP, The Breakthrough.

The Chicago singer, who’s a former member of Walt Whitman and the Soul Children, says that “the message of this song is to let everyone know that in order to reach your dreams, you must believe in yourself first, in order to make them come true.”

At 21 years of age, Ebony doesn’t just talk the talk.  In addition to singing, she is an author and the executive producer of Youth Speak Out TV Show.  She also has plans to film and produce her first documentary this year.

"The Medley" [Audio] – Connection!

“The Medley”
Connection! (2013)
Redeemed Records
Available on Amazon

Connection artwork
The group of young men from Houston known as Connection! makes good use of a medley to showcase clean vocals, slick production, and the ability to drop some good music on both contemporary and traditional gospel quartet fans.
 
Simply called “The Medley,” Connection! starts with ‘”Heaven is My Goal” followed by “Running (99 1/2 Won’t Do),” both of moderate tempo and R&B/soul feel, before diving into the hand-clapper “Hold On.”
 
Since the group’s formation in 2000, Connection! has gotten much attention, including racking up a pair of Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations.