Tag: Singles

"O Holy Night" – Kevin Riley

“O Holy Night”
Kevin Riley (2015)

By Libra Boyd

 
This season, Kevin Riley lends his distinct baritone to the sacred Christmas standard, “O Holy Night.” Jansen Goodwin’s orchestral arrangement complements Kevin’s compelling performance of the holiday classic.
 
“O Holy Night” is available at iTunes.
 
Kevin resides in Little Rock, AR, and serves as pastor of In His Presence Worship Ministries.

"Never Let You Go" – Dennis Garner ft. Truman Comer

“Never Let You Go”
Dennis Garner feat. Truman Comer (2015)
Available at iTunes

"Never Let You Go" artwork_Dennis Garner

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Nope, it’s not Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.  It’s Dennis Garner featuring Truman Comer. And the only reason I’m telling you is because when you hear the intro, you just might think otherwise.

Nope, it’s not the 1980s R&B hit “Before I Let Go.”  The single is actually its gospelized equivalent, “Never Let You Go.”  The music is entirely familiar, but Garner’s lyrics are conspicuously different: “I am so grateful You saved my soul….You are my Savior, and I’ll never let You go.”

The producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has worked with Quincy Jones and other industry heavyweights throughout his decades-long career.  The Greensboro, NC native also made a pair of movie appearances in The Color Purple (as a guitar player) and Eddie.

"Caught Up" – Conrad Miller

“Caught Up”
Conrad Miller (2015)
www.millconmusic.com

Conrad Miller Caught Up art work

Conrad Miller sings exultantly about the second coming of the Savior in his newest single, “Caught Up.” The uptempo contemporary flavored traditional song is written and produced by Stellar winner Earl Bynum.

The tune kicks off with an exuberant horn section that continues for the track’s four-and-half-minute duration.  Miller’s technical training as a vocalist is evident and his diction is precise as he describes Christ’s return. 

Miller is no stranger to the traditional gospel scene.  His music career stretches over 20 years as a singer, composer, arranger, and recording artist.

"On My Journey" – Clarice Hall

“On My Journey”
Clarice Hall (2015)
www.msreecie.com

Clarice Hall - On My Journey - art work

Clarice Hall’s vocals are soulful and crisp—a lovely complement to the contemporary gospel styling of her mid-tempo single, “On My Journey.”

And just when her skillful yet unforced riffs get your head bobbing, she pays tribute to the old school with a turn of phrase (“Church folks sing it like this, y’all…”) that segues into a 20-second a cappella interlude.

Clarice’s vocal flair reaches across the genres of gospel, jazz, and R&B, and her music résumé includes performances with heavyweights in each genre.

Clarice is a native of Raleigh and a member of Word Empowerment Church in Durham.  She concurrently serves as minister of music at Durham’s Mt. Olive AME Zion Church.

"Breakthrough" – Half Mile Home

Half Mile Home - Breakthough art work“Breakthrough”
Half Mile Home (2015)
www.halfmilehome.com
Church Boy Muzik

Half Mile Home’s inspirational hard handclap track, “Breakthrough,” drives home an important message: keep the faith.  The contemporary tune is the lead single from the Akron trio’s album, Don’t Judge Me (set for release this summer).

Check out the official video and you’ll see three gentlemen with soulful chops letting you know it’s “time for your breakthrough!”


"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.