Tag: Reviews

"Jesus Over Everything" – Thomas E. Bell

“Jesus Over Everything”
Thomas E. Bell (2015)
Available at iTunes

Thomas E. Bell - Jesus Over Everything art work

Thomas E. Bell honed his songwriting craft during his high school days, penning tunes for his R&B group.  At the age of 21, he decided it was time to dedicate his talent wholly to the Lord.  “Jesus Over Everything” is Bell’s current single.  In the hip-hop laced single, he makes clear that the name of Jesus is above all others, and “ain’t nobody takin’ His place.”

“Jesus Over Everything” is heavy on percussion as well as keyboard and vocal effects; but just like a good cobbler crust, Bell’s creatively expressed lyrical message rises to the top.

"Just Jesus" – J Squared

“Just Jesus”
J Squared (2015)
Dre Dai Entertainment
Available at iTunes

J Squared - Just Jesus art work

Comprised of preteen siblings Jordan Camille and Jackson Dondrea Lamont Geter, the hip-hop/pop/gospel duo J Squared “sets it off” with their single, “Just Jesus.” The track is featured on their forthcoming CD, Dreams, scheduled for release in August 2015. The twosome hails from the ATL.

Jordan and Jackson’s ages (nine and six, respectively) match their budding vocals and their simple message about the goodness of Jesus, which is performed in gleeful unison throughout.

With a positive vibe and youthful enthusiasm, J Squared has great things in store for their generation.

"Nothing Better" – Corey J

“Nothing Better”
Corey J
From the EP, Worship is a Beautiful Thing (2014)
Available at iTunes

Corey J - Love is a Beautiful Thing cover art

“You never look at my faults / You never judge me when I’m wrong / You always pick me up when I fall…”

These lyrical sentiments support Corey J’s summation that there’s “Nothing Better” than the prevailing attributes of a loving God.   It’s a reflective lyrical journey for Corey J, whose life is a miracle itself. (He was born with no heart rate and no pulse, and amid other complications, was given little more than three days to live.) 

“Nothing Better” is one of four songs on the EP entitled, Worship is a Beautiful Thing.  With its unhurried pace and musical airiness, the Christian pop track leaves sufficient space for Corey’s melodic tenor vocals.

Corey J. Yancey is a native of Oxford, NC, and serves in music ministry at Christian Faith Center in Creedmoor, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Brenda and Co-Pastor Timothy Timberlake. Presently, he has a full-length project in the works that’s set to drop in June 2015.

"Believe Louder" – Avehre ft. Amber Bullock

“Believe Louder”
Avehre ft. Amber Bullock (2015)
PH Balanced Music / BAS Music Group
Available at iTunes 


"Believe Louder" - Avehre ft. Amber Bullock art workSinger/songwriter Avehre and BET Sunday Best 4 champ Amber Bullock team up for a sizable dose of inspiration with the mid-tempo Christian pop single, “Believe Louder.”

Avehre, a Chicago native and protégé of R&B legend Gladys Knight, and Bullock take turns alluding to social conditions and the need to “be the change you wanna see.”

“If you believe, turn it up louder!”

"The Greater" – J. Grant Thompson

“The Greater”
J. Grant Thompson (2014)
Available at iTunes

J. Grant Thompson - The Greater - art work

By the time J. Grant Thompson was six, he was singing and playing drums for the children’s choir at his church.  His musical gifting was evident. Years later, his musicianship evolved to include piano, writing, and music production.  The evolution continues with the recent release of his debut single, “The Greater.”

Just as evident as J. Grant’s musical gifting is his heartfelt vertical worship through lyrical prayer: “Open my eyes to see greater…The Greater is You!”  Flowing piano arpeggios and uncomplicated background harmonies usher the urban contemporary worship track to its climactic emphasis—”You are Greater!”

J. Grant is a native of Washington, DC, and serves as a worship leader at Church of the Rock Praise Factory, founded and pastored by his parents, Pastor G. Ainsworth and Lady Margaret Thompson.

"I Love to Praise Him" – Tim Rogers & The Fellas

“I Love to Praise Him”
Tim Rogers & The Fellas (2014)
www.pastortimothyrogers.com

Tim Rogers & The Fellas - I Love to Praise Him cover art

Tim Rogers & The Fellas hit hard with their remake of Jessy Dixon’s “I Love to Praise Him.” The Arkansas quartet’s current single is downloadable on iTunes.

At the outset, Rogers announces, “Church, I’m ’bout to take you back down to the country, from where I’m from!” From there, he and his group drive the classic into repeated declarations of “hallelujah” and “thank You, Jesus.”

"Take Your Burdens" – Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise

“Take Your Burdens”
Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (2015)
www.jsuplive.com

Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise Take Your Burdens art work

Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise’s single “Take Your Burdens” can be summed up in one word: churchy.

 
JSUP, an aggregation of vocal talent recognized in and beyond the country for its captivating style of praise and worship (with songs like “Holy is the Lord” and “Healing Rain”), presents a markedly different sound with “Take Your Burdens.”  Vocalist Jeneal Johnson and JSUP’s cascading choir vocals make this moderately paced scorcher of a traditional choir number redolent of South Side Chicago Sunday mornings, Jackson Sunday afternoons, and Memphis Sunday evenings.

"Reach Out and Touch" – Ben Tankard ft. Kirk Whalum

“Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”
Ben Tankard ft. Kirk Whalum
From the upcoming CD, Full Tank 2.0 (Available February 10, 2015)
www.bentankard.org

Ben Tankard cover art

Just imagine the enduring message of “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” infused with smooth, soulful jazz instrumentation by keyboardist Ben Tankard and saxophonist Kirk Whalum. Thankfully, use of imagination is not needed since “Reach Out and Touch” (popularized by Diana Ross) is in fact the first single from Tankard’s forthcoming gospel jazz instrumental CD, Full Tank 2.0.

Tankard certainly does appear to be running on a full tank. In addition to new music, the multi-award–winning musician/producer has kicked off season two of his hit Bravo reality show Thicker Than Water (read his interview with GMF here: Ben Tankard talks about new season of ‘Thicker Than Water,’ new music, and his critics) and has a new book and clothing line in the works.

Enjoy the video “Reach Out and Touch” below.


"Good News" – Deborah Brown

“Good News”
Deborah Brown (2014)
Purpose Driven Records

No doubt about it, good news is welcomed amid the chaotic nature of daily encounters, and Atlanta’s Deborah Brown delivers with her upbeat rhythmic single “Good News.”

‘Tis a contemporary gospel bounce that’s dominated by a repeated electric piano chord progression and syncopated horns. The “good news” that Deborah (bearing a smidge of tonal resemblance to Twinkie Clark) sings about throughout the tune turns out to be all the joys that accompany the birth of Christ: “Peace on earth / goodwill towards men / a child is born / a son is given / government on His shoulders…” These proclamations translate into the song’s head-bobbing vamp.

Deborah, along with her husband Dr. Jerry Brown (founder and CEO of Purpose Driven Records), was recently featured on The Don Frost Music City Gospel Show.

"Run and Go Tell It" – Mighty Men of Faith

“Run and Go Tell It”
Mighty Men of Faith
From the CD, Nothing But Grace (2014)
N2L Records
mightymenoffaith.bandcamp.com/

Mighty Men of Faith cover art

They planned to perform only once for a special event at University AME Zion Church, but the one-time plan was axed when the response to their performance opened doors for them to travel throughout northern California. Five years later, they’re known as The Mighty Men of Faith, and they’ve released their sophomore CD entitled Nothing But Grace, which features the urban contemporary single “Run and Go Tell It.”

In contrast to the tempo one might assume belongs to a song with “run” in its title, “Run and Go Tell It” is unhurried. Staccato R&B-esque lead vocals and finger-snap percussion, enhanced by layered harmonies throughout the chorus, accentuate the tune’s simple personal declaration: “I will run and go tell it…what God has done for me.” 


The Palo Alto, CA foursome has been nominated for Rhythm of Gospel Awards in five categories.