My passion is gospel music and there's so much happening in the genre that must be shared. Artists are releasing new music while others have released music that should have garnered more attention. Gospel music is alive and well. It's making a difference in the lives of many. I hope these new releases make a difference for you.
JoJo Martin "Never Alone"
Gospel artist JoJo Martin has a tremendous testimony of dealing with kidney failure, which came with dialysis and very rough days. However, this brother with a raspy baritone was given the life-changing gift of a new kidney. However, during the waiting process, JoJo continually sang praises to God amid the pain and tears. He released his single, "Never Alone," a big band meets fast churchy tune that is infectious. Expect nothing less than excellent when music producer PJ Morton produces a song. "Never Alone" is a song of triumph, assurance, and celebration, which features Jojo's signature vocals that are just right. Listen on Apple Music.
Life Center Worship "The King is Here (feat. Dawkins & Dawkins)"
We recently celebrated the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For the occasion, worship band Life Center Worship enlisted the services of urban gospel veterans, Dawkins & Dawkins for the Easter song, "The King Is Here." It's not good to beg, but I implore you to indulge in this one. Both Eric and Anson get a verse and they kill it (it's always a vocal tutorial when Dawkins & Dawkins drop music). The song is high energy chalked with rhythmic keyboards and a pulsating beat. They keep the "main thing, the main thing" by exalting Christ and assuring everything that "every knee will bow." One can never go wrong with Dawkins & Dawkins. Listen on Apple Music.
The Collective Revival
VGN Bae Studios of Houston, Texas is a place where magic happens. Dominque Side and Anthony Hall co-own this studio and the imprint, VGN Bae Music Group. Great talent lies in Houston, Texas (okay, I may be a little biased) and these two have done a good job pulling people together to bring major talent to the city. They released The Revival, the third installment of their Collective compilation. This time, they go into their urban bag, while sprinkling worship throughout.
The album has many noteworthy, multi-listen songs. R&B artist/producer Madicin caught my attention on "Cut It Out" with his melodic vocals, hard edge beat, and aggressive lyrics addressed to the devil himself. Slower-paced R&B gems, include "It Takes Two" by duo Hall and Side and "Calling" by gospel artist Ahjah (of the Walls Group).
Keeping with the album's theme, there are three iterations of the classic "Revise Us." There is one rendition by artist Jason Nelson accompanied by musician Dwayne "DW" Wright on bass while Percy Bady accompanies De'Andre Nico and Deejay Lowery on their respective renditions. To end it, Madicin, Sierra Jenee deliver the "Benediction" with a strong prayer by Tiphani Montgomery. Don't overlook any song on the album. Listen to Revival on Apple Music.
Dwayne Lacy is a long time History teacher in Houston, Texas. He also has a passion for diversity in unity in music and in the church.
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