Tag: Singles

"Necessary" – Juan Santiago & Integrity

“Necessary (Radio Edit)”
Juan Santiago & Integrity (2018)
Milagro Records

Necessary Juan Santiago cover artBy Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

Independent gospel artist Juan Santiago, owner and founder of Milagro Records, a record company with a mission of promoting gospel music nationwide, found it “necessary” to debut his newest group, Juan Santiago & Integrity, in June of this year. Along with the debut of the new ensemble was the release of the contemporary Christian single, “Necessary.”

DeLaVanta “D-Hydrate” Tabor’s tasteful piano accompaniment is the sole instrumental anchor to the passionately intense testimony of both the ensemble and the single’s lead vocalists Jana Jackson, B.J. Brown, and Joel Darwin. While the radio edit is just under five minutes, the extended CD version is nearly twice as long, adding Jonathan Parker-Ashley’s oration to the message that God works all things in our lives–good and bad–together for good. Life’s experiences have their necessary place in who we are becoming in Him.

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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.

"Still Alive (I Survived)" – Lucinda Moore

“Still Alive (I Survived)”
Lucinda Moore (2018)
Nalah Music Group
www.facebook.com/LucindaMooreOne

Still Alive Lucinda Moore cover artBy 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.

"H.O.L.Y." – Keion D. Henderson

“H.O.L.Y.”
Keion D. Henderson (2018)
 
Holy Keion Henderson cover artBy Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
 
Keion D. Henderson’s cover of “H.O.L.Y.” (originally performed by country duo Florida Georgia Line) will have your hands raised and singing along with tears of joy streaming down your cheek. Hallelujah!  “H.O.L.Y.” is an acronym for “high on loving you.”
 
The country-styled vertical worship song opens with layers of musical accompaniment and just enough organ to give you that “churchy” feeling that suggests, “Oh yeah, we are getting ready to worship.”  Then, oh my!  Keion—also known as Pastor Henderson to his 6,500-member Lighthouse Church of Houston congregation—capably leads you from a cold winter morning of loneliness and despair to feeling the warmth of the Son on your face. He guides the tune dramatically upwards into the crescendo of worship and praise and then gently downward, back into the flow of personal worship.

“H.O.L.Y.” is written by Busbee, Nate Cyphert, and William Larsen. 

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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.
 

“Young & Strong” – Sidney Buckner and Youth In Unity

“Young & Strong”
Sidney Buckner & Youth In Unity (2018)
Available at iTunes

Young and Strong Sidney BucknerBy 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.

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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.

“Christ Out of Christmas” – Yemi Ayeni

“Christ Out of Christmas”
Yemi Ayeni (2018)
WTL Records 
www.yemiayeni.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Sounds of Christmas are in the air.  Among them is Yemi Ayeni’s single, “Christ Out of Christmas.”

“They tried to take Christ out of Christmas, but they can’t take Christ out of me,” sings Yemi as her words gleefully sweep like brush strokes across the tune’s jazz-embellished canvas.  “He’s the reason for the season; that’s why we are here!”

Yemi is a UK-based singer/songwriter who says she penned “Christ Out of Christmas” to “draw more attention to the world’s denial and rejection of Christ [and give] a clarion call to action to the Church to defend our faith.”

"Confident" – Modern Day Cure

“Confident”
Modern Day Cure (2017)
www.moderndaycure.com

Modern Day Cure Confident cover artBy 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.

“Lord, You’ve Been Good to Me” – Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony

“Lord, You’ve Been Good to Me”
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony (2017)
Peacock Music Group 
https://www.facebook.com/timandtheheirs/

Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony cover artBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony pay homage to a pioneering gospel quartet-styled group with the current single, “Lord, “You’ve Been Good to Me.”  The number was popularized over 50 years ago by the legendary Five Blind Boys of Mississippi.

Sticking to the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Woodson pounds this toe-tapper with the same vocal intensity as Henry Johnson, who is heard on the Blind Boys’ version as this Heirs’ remake begins. 

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Woodson and the Heirs have been spreading the good news since 1992.

"I'll Always Be Thankful" – Duranice Pace ft. The Pace Family

“I’ll Always Be Thankful”
Duranice Pace ft. The Pace Family (2017)
Madison Music Group

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Duranice Pace is the eldest sister and a lead singer with gospel’s beloved Anointed Pace Sisters.  She’s appeared in a number of stage plays and once upon a time appeared weekly on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel as a Nashville Super Choir cast member, the backing choir for Jones.  Those who weren’t already acquainted have been introduced through video clips of her trademark entrances at family gatherings and impromptu performances at places like Walmart and IHOP, which spread like wildfire across social media.

At the family’s most recent Thanksgiving Day get-together, Duranice burst through the front door with melody.  Her musical family–which includes matriarch Pastor Bettie Pace and Duranice’s eight singing sisters–has come to expect as much, so the phone’s cameras were rolling.  The footage, posted by younger sister LaTrice, became an instant hit and within a few days, “I’ll Always Be Thankful”–the song that brought everyone joy, tears, and tears of joy–was released as a single.  It’s easy to see why the inspirational uptempo song of gratitude, celebration, and fond remembrance resonated with hundreds of thousands: “Here we are again sitting at the dinner table / Talking to one another / Ain’t nothing like family and friends…”

“I’ll Always Be Thankful” features the Pace family and is produced by Duranice’s nephew, Dennis Lamar Martin, Jr.

“I Am Confident” – Dr. Charles Diggins ft. Queen with High Praise & Worship

“I Am Confident”
Dr. Charles Diggins ft. Queen with High Praise & Worship
From the CD, The Secret Place “Live” (2018)

Charles Diggns cover artBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Despite what many of today’s gospel and inspirational playlists might imply, traditional choir music is alive, thriving, and kept at the forefront by artists such as Dr. Charles Diggins ft. Queen With High Praise & Worship.

The aggregation’s current single, “I Am Confident,” is from the full-length CD, The Secret Place “Live”, and is centered squarely on Philippians 1:6.  High Praise & Worship fervently punctuates the biblical assertion in a staccato manner as the song moves along unhurriedly.  Diggins’ verve and phrasing on the Roland Perry composition are occasionally reminiscent of gospel great Douglas Miller–certainly not a critique but rather a nod to the popular era of choirs fronted by robust voices like Miller, Cleveland, Brunson, Biggham, and Kee.  Diggins is solid at the helm of the High Praise & Worship Chorale.  Additionally, the minister of music and Alabama native has presented his own compositions and arrangements all over the country to include GMWA, NCGCC, and the National Baptist Convention.

The full-length CD features Diggins’ wife and music partner, Queen.

“I Can’t Afford” – Lowell Pye

“I Can’t Afford”
Lowell Pye
From the CD, The Master’s Will Project (2015)
www.masterswillmusic.com

Lowell Pye_The Master's Will Project cover artBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Lowell Pye appears on The Master’s Will Project with “I Can’t Afford,” a brisk traditional hand-clapper that hearkens to his New Life Community Choir days with John P. Kee.

A standout feature of “I Can’t Afford” is the way in which Lowell skillfully allows ample breathing room within its verses sans a grunt, moan, or riff in every cranny.  The Stellar Award-winning singer seems to focus squarely on delivering the song’s straightforward message: God’s love and goodness continually exceed Lowell’s faults and frailties.  In return, he “can’t afford to let [his] Savior down.”

The Master’s Will Project, executive produced by husband-wife team Dale and Carla Conaway, is the debut release from Master’s Will Music.  Both the full-length CD and “I Can’t Afford” were nominated for Radio Alliance Awards in 2017 for CD of the Year and Traditional Song of the Year, respectively.