What You Need To Know

Things have been going really well for Gene Moore Jr. He married his best friend and soulmate, Lashanna in December 2018. He went on tour with soul artist India Arie where he was a background and featured vocalist. Currently, Gene is on tour with Brian Courtney Wilson on the Just Be tour and to top it all off, Gene has just released his first full-length album, Tunnel Vision. Gene again teamed up with Terrance Vaughn (don’t sleep on this musician and producer), Cedric “Dabenchwarma” Smith along with Dana Sorey to handle production.



What It Sounds Like

Tunnel Vision is masterfully produced, flawlessly executed vocally by Gene, songs carefully written by the songwriters and wisely picked by Motown records. Michael Dixon and Darryl “Deejay” Lowry wrote the Cedric Smith-produced, “Love Like You.” Having the ability to love like Jesus is the desire that Gene sings about over the strings of David Vaughn and smooth bass stylings of Nick McNack. There is a definite “How did Gene do that?!!” moment when he sings, “Show me the way to capture Your heart/To give grace to my brother AND HELP MY SISTER.” Wait, when he says, “and help my sister,” what just happened? It as if he went up a half step and quickly back down to the original key. Gene also took calculated risks with a few urban tracks. “Take Care” is a fun upbeat 80’s R&B/funk song that then transitions to the churchy vamp, “Glory to God who keeps me from falling/Keeps me from falling, Glory to him.” Yessuh!



Spiritual Highlights

From the urban tracks (upbeat and smooth) and worship songs, this album is a lot to spiritually ingest. “Depending On You” is the type of song that all followers of Christ should sing. It prioritizes where we should look first in all aspects of our life. Shout out to Gene, Dana Sorey and Thaddeus Tribbett for writing a song that causes worship and reflection all in one.



Best Song on the Record

Tunnel Vision really is a complete album! It is easily one of the best albums to come out in the last few years. Picking the best song on the album was very difficult. From the modern soul jam, “Won’t Be Moved” to the chill “Apart" (with background vocals provided by Eric Dawkins) to power ballad, “Always Jesus,” there is something for everyone. “Always Jesus” was written by Matt Redman, Bernie Herms, Jonas Myrin and Danny Gokey.



For Fans Of

Brian Courtney Wilson, Donny Hathaway, P.J. Morton, Dawkins and Dawkins, Michael Dixon



Final Word

Flawless! This album has “Album of the Year” written all over it. Regardless of whether it wins many awards or not, Gene Moore has an album that will make a lasting imprint on many. This album is worth the purchase!

Listen on Spotify | Purchase on ITunes

What You Need To Know

JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise has been a staple in the Gospel music industry since they exploded on the scene in 2001 with “Awesome God” on Gospelflava.com’s label, Evidence Gospel. More albums and hit songs dropped. They evolved from not only having songs for a Gospel choir but also songs that praise teams could sing as well. The consistency has to be noted in this day in age and here in 2019, they remain a locomotive that continues to build respectable momentum. Miracle Worker, on Jamestown Music with eOne Distribution, is their latest offering.

What it Sounds Like

The consistency and tendency to provide fresh and good content continues. It is a huge celebration when Nigerian singer, Tim Godfrey, blazes “Onaga” proving again that the continent of Africa has an extra special “oomph” that they bring to anything they touch. Kimberly Joye and JJ lead the call and response midtempo “No God Like You” while soprano worship leader, Benita Jones, leads us to the throne on “Have Your Way.” Masterful singing by Youthful Praise, raspy and passionate ad-libs by Jones and the tag of “have your way” makes this song one to repeat and add to your playlist. 

Spiritual Highlights

The whole album is centered around Jesus, his glory, presence, and miracle-working power. Anyone knows that there is electricity of sorts when people are gathered together for any sort of musical event. Yet, there is something extra powerful when people worship together. “Elohim” (featuring Darryl Walls of the Walls Group) sort of embodies this when the group sings what is a simple to learn song. When Darryl and Youthful Praise sing things like “Elohim, You are God forever”, then “Yahweh” and then “Hallelujah” even the staunchest of atheists would feel what they may describe as “goosebumps.” I would just describe it as the power of God. 

Best Song on the Record

Although there truly is a pick of really good songs on the album, I would have to pick the title track and lead single as the standout song. Although there is much “noise,” skepticism and cynicism embedding in today’s culture, hearing that people still believe that God still does miracles is quite refreshing. Rich Tolbert helps JJ on lead along with Jahana Jones also getting a small piece. 

For Fans Of

Jonathan Nelson, Tye Tribbett, Tasha Cobbs Leonard

What You Need To Know: 

Titus Showers made a name for himself with his six sisters via the group The Showers. They garnered Stellar Awards, charted on the Billboards Gospel Chart and made several appearances. Titus also participates in ways to help people concerning health and medicine via a partnership with MAP International. Embarking on his own, Titus released Who? EP.



What It Sounds Like:

In the words of Bobby Jones “This is good Gospel music.” Houston residents Lucious Hoskins (four songs) and Tyrone Belle (two songs) handle the majority of the production while Darryl Walls (of the Walls Group) serves as a vocal producer. “It’s Gonna Be Alright” has a slow melodic groove to it with Titus doing his good ad-libbing. The songs of encouragement continue with “In That Name” serving to encourage and call the listeners to encourage themselves in the Lord. This song even got a NotKarlton Banks (Instagram sensation) skit. His nephew, Tasmin and daughter, Tytiana, join him towards the end of “Make It” proving again how important family is to Titus. It also shows that singing will continue to run deep into this family. 

What You Need To Know

There is no way that any Gospel music fan, casual or die-hard, can not know who Kurt Carr is. Kurt Carr and The Kurt Carr Singers are responsible for life-changing songs such as “In the Sanctuary,” “For Every Mountain,” “God Blocked It” "I Almost Let Go" and so many more. He was the musical director for the late Rev. James Cleveland and later produced albums for Byron Cage, Tramaine Hawkins, and other Gospel greats. Being someone who has accomplished so much can be both a blessing and a lot of pressure. On top of that, Kurt lost his mother, Delores, and long-time ministry partner, Dorothy King. However, after six years of fighting through depression and loss, Kurt is back with Bless Somebody Else.



What it Sounds Like

Although this is an album with mostly new material, Kurt is not going to veer away from that signature sound and full singing that distinguishes him and The Kurt Carr Singers from other groups. The Kurt Carr Singers are a group of uber-talented and versatile singers who carry their own respective styles, but they are a strong, cohesive unit. Songs like “I’ll Make Sure You’re Lifted Up” and “Something Big, Something Marvelous” lead by Nikki Potts, are the fun uptempo anthems that will uplift Jesus and encourage believers. “With Thanksgiving” is infectious and even multilayered. The title speaks for itself and I was loving it from the beginning. However, the song goes from a bouncy number featuring a groove provided by bassist Nick McNack to a Latin-styled praise anthem and then they go straight quartet featuring some squalling adlibs from Roosevelt Griffin and Nakitta Foxx. Kurt, you did it again!



Spiritual Highlights

There are songs on the album that will help others through dark times, songs of praise and songs just to enjoy. “Bless Somebody Else (Dorothy’s Song)" features a who’s who list of Gospel and R&B artist who sing about getting their focus off of themselves, but serving and blessing others. Trusting God through a very tough storm is not just a cliche, but something that Jesus even illustrated to Peter.



Best Song on the Record

“Say All is Well” serves as a reminder that God is in control no matter what a person is facing. The interpolation of the popular hymn, “It is Well” was very well done and needed. Timiney Figueroa leads this song and she has a special gift for tugging at your heart when she leads ballads. “Grace Brought Me Back” was written specifically for Leandria Johnson; she drove this song and took it STRAIGHT to church! You can tell that there were some moments that were overdubbed, but Kurt had to keep much of her solo from the night of the recording.



For Fans Of

Richard Smallwood and Vision, Donnie McClurkin, Thomas Whitfield



Final Word

There is still a great need for the music of Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers! Bless Somebody Else is not a different "sound" for Kurt Carr, but there are new songs that will surely minster to become a staple for church choirs and praise teams. 



Available on iTunes and Apple Music

What You Need To Know:

There is just something about albums being recorded live in Africa. Israel and New Breed recorded their electric Alive in South Africa in 2005 and the energy and anointing were definitely felt through the album and DVD. Now, Todd Dulaney fulfills a dream of his by recording in South Africa and the result is To Africa With Love. He took his team, did some of his most popular songs and here it is.



What It Sounds Like:

Todd is a passionate worship leader who does songs for church worship teams and the church alike. “You’re Doing It All Again” is a new uptempo song with catchy elements that will fit well into setlists. Elements such as “oohs” that are call and response, synth rhythms popular in EDM, driving guitars and lyrics that simply praise to God are present throughout. The album also features a slowed down version of the tag which is a great transition to the slower songs in a praise and worship set list. Of course, he revisits such greats as “The Anthem”, “Free Worshipper” and the super hit, “Your Name Great.” The latter is continuing to make waves in churches across the globe. Todd highlights and gives props to Illia Jackson, someone who has been singing with him longer than any of his other amazing singers. They duet on “King of Glory.”



Spiritual Highlights:

Not to sound corny and cliche, but the whole album is a highlight spiritually. This is what an album dedicated to God should be. The goal is to lead others into God’s presence as this celebration in South Africa did for so many who were at the recording. Todd Dulaney and crew did just that. This is another album that can be added to your time of prayer and/or praise and worship.



Best Song on the Record:

South Africa’s own, Lebohang Kgapola joins him on “Victory Belongs to Jesus” for close to ten minutes of sheer vertical worship! Put this on and get lost in His presence.



For Fans of:

Israel and New Breed, Phil Thompson, Elevation Worship



Final Word:

Although you will not find an album full of new songs, you will find an experience of basically going to one of Todd Dulaney’s concerts/nights of worship. To Africa With Love did not disappoint in that sense.