James Johnson, Jr. echoes his purpose in gospel music with the E.P. debut, You Made Me
Kerry Douglas’s distinctive gospel music vision as the CEO of Blacksmoke Music Worldwide has brought Zacardi Cortez, quartet artist Keith ‘Wonder Boy’ Johnson and now James Johnson, Jr. Johnson, Jr., a familiar voice to the Blacksmoke Family for the past 6 years,…
The Color Purple gloriously returns to the big screen in a soundtrack adapted from the 2005 and 2015 Broadway stage productions
When The Color Purple movie debuted in 1985 (based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning book), Hollywood was buzzing about the intense storyline about the mistreatment of the black community in the south during the early 20th century.
Billboard Gospel music great Marvin Sapp starts his new ministry assignment with Chosen Vessel
If anyone desires to be in an effective ministry, the utmost key is being ready to sacrifice at a moment’s notice while excursing faith to the maximum. Marvin Sapp has faced many turning points through the years, even while earning countless Stellar Awards along with numerous Billboard Gospel achievements.
K-Ci Hailey
“Jesus Saves”
(P Music Group)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Once upon a time in North Carolina, a young boy named Cedric cracked open his mouth and let out a holler for The Lord that instantly carved out the path of his destiny…as another of the fabled church singers who would go on to set the world of Soul Music on sanctified fire before tragedy ensued and sent him back home to church a changed man.
Singer/Songwriter/Minister and Choirmaster Ricky Dillard along with New G re-lights the gospel choir flame with their latest CD for Motown Gospel
As one of contemporary gospel’s ambassadors, Ricky Dillard is a firm cheerleader for choir voices and how they continue to bless the masses in praise and worship. Born in one of gospel’s famed cities, Chicago, Illinois, the singer/songwriter Dillard was recently recognized by Rolling Stone and TIME as a pioneering choirmaster, a serious honor alongside respected choir directors such as Hezekiah Walker and JJ Hairston.
Kirk Franklin | LONG LIVE LOVE
Fo Yo Soul / RCA
by Peggy Oliver
Kirk Franklin boldly proclaims Long Live Love, his first solo CD in four years
Kirk Franklin certainly knows the pulse of the gospel industry for over two decades. As one of the architects that have defined contemporary gospel’s current direction, the producer/musician/songwriter clearly zones in to what many listeners are seeking for in music that moves scripturally and inspirationally.
Amazing Grace is Aretha Franklin’s Regally Rousing Cinematic Hallelujah
A Film Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
There’s something powerfully unique about seeing footage of music you’ve only been able to listen to for decades. The first example that comes to mind is the black and white video of Les McCann & Eddie Harris’ 1969 set at the Montreux Jazz Festival that, for years, was only heard as their Atlantic Records album Swiss Movement.
Will Downing | The Promise
Shanachie Records
by Peggy Oliver
When an artist who has maintained a career that is deemed successful, sometimes the stability in all the achievements and awards can be taken for granted.
CeCe Winans | Let Them Fall in Love
by Peggy Oliver
Imagine a multi-award winning gospel artist in the studio, one half of a well-respected brother/sister duo and a member of an extremely famous musical family, with her son mapping the direction of the latest recording session. This is a recent true life scenario between CeCe Winans and her son Alvin Love III, whose conceptual words of wisdom was effectively a beneficial move for this praise and worship icon who has blazed the contemporary urban gospel charts with her brother, BeBe Winans, and with her own solo career.
A Very McCrary Christmas
The McCrary Foundation Choir
(Indi-Genius Music Group)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
With the goal being to create a Christmas album for all the generation within your household, the world famous McCrary family of vocalists, musicians, songwriters, arrangers and record producers (Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Chaka Khan) glowingly succeed in their mission with a richly inspired and diversified 12-song collection of original and traditional offerings.