Full Speed Ahead | Posted December-30-2015
2015 was a pivotal year for Jor'Dan Armstrong and his producer and friend Tedy P. Jor'Dan released 52 Weeks of Summer, and the duo also produced Kierra Sheard's EP LED. Jor'Dan will also make his film debut in God's Not Dead 2 in 2016. Now moving into 2016 he is dropping the Confident EP, and confidence is something that Jor'Dan Armstrong never seems to lack. Musically, the six track EP basically sounds like an extension of the previous album, but lyrically it shows the attitude that he has for the new year.
Using basketball as an analogy that will definitely resonate with a generation of youth that look to NBA stars for inspiration, "Swish" uses a variety of basketball terminology to show that Mr. Armstrong is ready to do great things and be used by God. Some of the highlight lyrics are "He never fades away when I fade away... / Promise you we'll be the winning team / I'll lace my J's with no strings."
Tedy P. provides the heat, and his crisp production is always up to par with other more well-known producers in urban and hip hop music. You will have to nod your head when Jor'Dan thanks God for open doors on "Bless Up."
Closing Thoughts:
This is good riding music and something to build momentum for those who want to accomplish goals that they set or fulfill New Year resolutions. Jor'Dan's confidence is based on his reliance on Christ, and hopefully people will be able to get that message and not mistake it for arrogance.
Jazz Styled Christmas | Posted November-24-2015
It is the time of the year again when Christmas music is playing in department stores as people go about their shopping. Vernon Hill brings a jazz-infused outfit into the mix with Great Joy. This pianists pays homage to songs of Christmas with an album that is half instrumental and half includes vocals.
When it comes to songs of Christmas, there are just some songs that every artist must try out. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" gets an easy listening interpretation with the piano and soprano sax taking the forefront. You can put this on in the background of a company Christmas party or a family get together to celebrate the holidays. Vernon is joined again by Tim Andrulonis on "Silent Night" for a version slightly more up-tempo than most renditions.
The vocalists that were picked for this offering did a great job with their selections. Lavarn crooned his way through "Emmanuel" while Taylor Simone-Butts adds her smooth vocals to "Noel." She lets her range show a little when she works the chorus of "Glory to God."
There are those who are traditional when it comes to Christmas songs, taking the stance that you shouldn't remix it or add a rock or hip hop flavor and mess with a classic. For those listeners, Vernon tickles the ivories throughout "Holy Night," and yet he stays true to the original melody and structure of the song.
Closing Thoughts:
We have heard so many variations of the popular Christmas songs, both the ones that are sung in church settings and those that are not. Vernon Hill was not very radical in the way he arranged these songs, but it is something that contemporary jazz enthusiasts will enjoy.
Keeping It Real | Posted November-13-2015
"One of the illest young emcees in the game" is one way to describe West Coast rapper John Givez. "Uncut and unapologetic" is another way to peg him. Givez, brother-in-law of Beleaf, is a rapper that has killed so many guest spots. Both he and his cousin JGivens are finding their way onto favorites lists. John Givez released a very highly anticipated new album this year.
The album, Soul Rebel, is his most ambitious offering to date. From the album cover to the use of some colorful language, he wanted to present his life in retrospect to present. That doesn't mean that his album is chock full of vulgar language, but it does mean that the album may not fit in some Christian settings and circles.
I love the way he kills the track while telling of the upbringing perils of his early life on "Elementary Trill" and the summer anthem "2004." He's likely to stir up some controversy by being descriptive in talking frankly about his sexual tryst with a girl in "Da Art of Storytellin' Pt. 5." Purity "stained", but his status as a "playa" was upgraded. "Playa Inheritance" has John explaining the depth of this lifestyle. The song is multilayered, with a Tribe Called Quest Hip Hop 101 simple beat for the verses, and then segueing into John and Kyra De'nae singing in unison (an octave apart) a la Outkast.
The album is meant to take you on a trip that will not be as good if it is not enjoyed in its entirety. His change of heart starts to take place with John doing his crooning in fittingly titled "A Playaz Change in Heart," featuring a hot 16 bars from cousin JGivens. "Chapter 29" sounds like it may be a few bars with a choir leading into a worship song, but it stays in the same vein as the rest of the album. Givez is stripped down, coming to God with no frills, passionately praying and asking if God has a plan for him.
Closing Thoughts:
I will admit that I was expecting John to come with a bunch of tracks that could highlight his flow. I was boxing John Givez in and not allowing him to tell his story and be his total self. Soul Rebel will make you uncomfortable, but will also make you take notice. I was disappointed on some points, but I was mostly pleased at this multilayered album.
Songs to Download Now:
"2004" and "Johnny Law" (Get them on iTunes here.)
Tony Tillman Gets Transparent | Posted November-11-2015
This rapper was an ex-crip in Arkansas, one who has seen some of the craziest stuff in life and decided to get really autobiographical with it on Camden. Tony Tillman takes you on a journey of what life was like in that part of Arkansas that some may not believe would happen in the "country." Producers/beat makers Cardec Drums, Derek Minor and GRoc handle the majority of the beats while Geeda, Gawvi and Alex Medina and more each add a track.
One thing people will realize about Tony is the continual improvement lyrically. The offbeat onbeat staccato flow is killer on "870," while Derek Minor's beat matches the aggressive stylings. Tony introduces his life and how he left the life of the "blue." He brings in Tragic Hero, Deraj and Drew Allen to speak on their journey and how everyone has a "CMDN," the place of their upbringing.
There are dope and innovative rappers in the mainstream, but the unfortunate part of the mainstream industry is the glorification of violence. Others brag on crimes they never committed and drugs they never sold. Tony speaks on the joy of escaping the crime-riddled past in "Made It Out," while talking about being a teenager who gets enticed by a drug dealer in the rough area of "Adams Avenue." Tony reaches out to one of his ex-gang members and assures him that he cares for his him and his soul on "Praying For You."
"Ghost" is a sobering look at how Tillman's good friend kills his wife. Haunting piano samples, driving bassline and banging yet stripped down beats accent the serious nature of what happened. Both the husband (Don) and wife (Tina) were Christians who Tony looked up to, but they experienced some marital issues. Don was working a lot, distant and acting strange. His wife even asked Tony to talk to Don, but they never had the serious talk about what Don was going through. After Tina was killed, Tony expressed his regret and guilt for not having that talk.
The Bottom Line:
There's nothing like real life music. Tony gets real and relevant. He does not hide his past, but he glorifies God for saving him from what looked like a bleak situation in Camden.
Kirk Franklin Never Disappoints | Posted November-09-2015
It's Kirk Franklin, and he's back with Losing My Religion. He usually takes a few years to release an album, but when it is time to do so, he grinds hard in the studio to produce a masterpiece. The latest masterpiece is here, and the singers are here as well, including Deonis Cook (who did some vocal arranging on the song, "When"), Darian Yancey-Mackey, Candy West, Chelsea West, Amber Bullock, Crystal Aiken, Michael Bethany, Myron Butler and more, artists who deserve a special mention because the vocal blend of this group is so on point.
"Miracles" is a great case in point to illustrate how Kirk does not just write a cliché-filled song, but instead he takes a song about miracles and makes it multilayered. The song goes from expressing the awe of God's miracles to being reminded that the singer himself is a miracle. Kirk (who is not known for his singing ability) has an incredible way of interpreting a song that he leads!
Think about "Without You" from the Hero album, or how he ends "Help Me Believe" from the album The Fight of My Life. "Pray for Me" can be added to that list. It is so cool to hear former Kirk Franklin and the Family member, Dalon Collins, God's Property alumni Pastor James Henderson and Pastor Patron Thomas on backing vocals for this one. Even after 20 plus years of recording, he does not write from a "star" perspective, but from that of an everyday brother who needs God. The singers bring it as they back Kirk up on "Intercession." Simply but powerfully put, "He intercedes for me / Protects me from things unseen. / Right between God and me /....He sees me, but he hears you."
"Road Trip" is typical Kirk and jamming in its own right, but again, the symbolism is just as top-notch as the groove. He encourages people that God will not leave you detoured in this "road" called "life." "123 Victory" is just a banger, period! The bassline on both tracks is killer.
People thought Kirk outdid himself with "Wanna Be Happy," but then he drops the gem "It's Time:" "For destiny and victory to finally collide / there's no sound more sweeter than when God says, 'It's time!'" This song really made me want to holla, for various reasons. The singers take it to the next level. The lyrics on this song will resonate with people in different phases of life. The last reason why I am so amped on this track is the fact that Zacardi Cortez and Tasha Page-Lockhart slaughtered the last minute and a half of the song.
The Bottom Line:
This is vintage Kirk! Buy the album for yourself and someone else!
Alex Faith Uncut | Posted October-30-2015
Alex Faith keeps getting more real, raw and transparent. Instead of scaling back on certain issues such as racism and police brutality, Alex uses his platform to challenge the status quo mindset. Bloodlines is the album that hip hop needs, that teens can appreciate and the church should embrace. It is safe to say that Alex Faith is now one of my favorite emcees, a position he solidifies this again with Bloodlines.
Alex gets autobiographical on "Freedom" to explain how he came to Christ while shooting the breeze and talking to a guy about life. Courtney Orlando (formerly J.R.) deserves special mention, supplying a soulful additive (a la Curtis Mayfield) that adds to this personal narrative that brothers in the street can identify with.
Alex speaks on dealing with the tough loss of his newborn son in "Stillborn" as Orlando weaves his falsetto all throughout the hook. My heart goes out to both Alex and his wife as their marriage faced some strain due to the pain. However, they made it through.
"95 Atlanta" is the song that is sure to get the place "lit" when performed live. I played this one for one of my U.S. History classes, and let's just say that they were beside themselves. The bass is just right, and the midtempo beat is ideal for us in the "dirty south." Corey Paul brings that H-Town drawl to the table to supply even more heat as Alex pays homage to the simple times when he was young living in Atlanta.
In comes "Dark Matters," where Aden Bean delivers quite the compelling spoken word about his personal experience with the police and meshes it with deaths of Eric Garner and more. Alex continues to shed light on this controversial topic even if some people of his own race criticizes him for addressing it.
Clayton County, Georgia is an area that is well known for crime and violence. Rising artist J. Monty joins Alex to bring the heat over flute samples and an ill beat to bring the realities on "Clayco." The environment breeds some trouble, and misconceptions and gentrification is also discussed. The great thing about Alex is that redemption, grace and salvation are always the anchor to his records. "Sins of My Youth" brings everything home.
Closing Thoughts:
This album deserves a listen. You can buy Bloodlines for teens to spark discussion. If you are in education, you can play a few songs and let your students talk about issues that are happening today. And beyond that, this album bangs!
Songs to Download Now:
"95 Atlanta" and "Dark Matters" (Get them on iTunes here.)
Propelling Gospel Forward | Posted September-21-2015
Jonathan McReynolds is coming from the whirlwind of the last two to three year period, a timeframe in which he went from being a relatively underground artist known in his hometown of Chicago to taking the Gospel and even R&B industry by storm. People were blown away by the no-frills lyrics and his crisp voice. He came on the scene at the right time, and what he brings is needed.
If Life Music was a shot of uniqueness and fresh air into the veins of Gospel music, Life Music: Stage Two is the healing needed to propel people forward. While still bringing the relatability of the first record, the mood on this album is more upbeat as a whole.
Jonathan rides the beat on the urban-tinged "The Way That You Love Me" while expressing sincere thoughts of quitting, yet remembering God's love. This brother has a way of putting lyrics in a manner that makes them relatable to the point of drawing in those who are not the biggest fans of the Gospel music genre.
Another example is "Limp:" "See I fell and I broke something / But I can't tell, cause I kept running from Your loving grace./ So my trips and pains / My failures, they only make me desperate to seek Your face / The devil hoped this 'injury' would make stop and take defeat / But I know Jesus walks with me so I'll just keep on walking with my limp, oh." The verses are mostly backed by a steady kick drum and accented by a bluesy acoustic guitar. There is so much to pull from when listening to "Limp" and also the vulnerability of "Pressure."
"Stay High" just puts a smile on my face, and it is pretty cool to see Jonathan teeter totter on the line between folk and soul, with a small hint of reggae. Derek Minor shows his versatility as an emcee as he makes his flow match the mood (and style) of the song very well.
"Got My Love" is an uptempo jam that should grab attention of music lovers and those who just want to express their love for God. There needs to be a Jonnyswim/Jonathan McReynolds collaboration and/or tour very soon. Jonathan again partners with Israel Houghton for "All Things Well," which was only fitting since Jonathan was on Israel's recent release.
The breathtaking vocals of Chantae Cann and Indie Arie grace "Maintain" and "Whole," respectively. Corey Barksdale helps close out the album with "Jesus," which is the only Gospel-sounding song on the album. They take us back to the days of riding to church listening to the Gospel station.
Closing Thoughts:
Life Music: Stage Two is a great album lyrically, sonically and organically. The collaborations were smart, and the production by Jonathan, Aaron Lindsay, PJ Morton, Warryn Campbell didn't make him sound scattered. My relationship with God is reassured and challenged by this album. I am begging those who do not know him to please give this album a chance--it will be worth it.
Proclaiming His Purpose | Posted August-22-2015
Nehemiah comes with a zeal and passion to make Christ known to the world. This rapper drops his new one, Remember EP, late this summer, six tracks that serve as the soundtrack to his purpose in life.
Against the backdrop of a piano and guitar-laced beat, Nehemiah urges the masses to "Remember Him" in their everyday lives. On "With Me," he agonizes over being chosen by God and struggling to live for Him, asking for His guidance.
Nehemiah had a good idea when he made "Feeling Good ft Mercadize," but the song was not executed very well. He takes inspiration from the Michael Buble song of the same name, but the mixing leaves a little to be desired.
"Legacy" is the best song on the EP. Nehemiah goes in hard and provides some inspiring bars for anyone looking to make a lasting difference in this world. His rapid-fire delivery goes well with the track filled with strings that tended to crescendo and decrescendo throughout the song.
Closing Thoughts:
Nehemiah has potential, and no one can knock his passion. However, he is still refining his delivery. There were moments where his flow did not quite match the beats, and that is a must if you want to be taken seriously as an emcee. As he grows, mixing and engineering will hopefully grow as well. This will allow even more people to listen to his mission to make Christ known.
A Global Voice of Worship | Posted July-29-2015
It is always refreshing to see what Israel Houghton is going to do next. He has always been a visionary, one who calculates when he is going act on things that God has placed in his heart. Israel has expanded the aggregation known as New Breed with the Deeper Level Unconference, the multimedia RGM New Breed (with Galley Molina), New Breed Africa and so much more. They have performed in every inhabited continent and even recorded in South Africa (Alive in South Africa, which was released in 2005). Ten years later, Alive in Asia is releasing this summer. Recorded in several countries in Asia, a documentary was also recorded to really help capture all that this huge undertaking entailed.
Alive in Asia helps to celebrate 15th anniversary of New Breed, a longevity which is a huge achievement for any group. What makes the album even more special is the fact that Israel's daughter Mariah Houghton is featured as both a member of New Breed and one of the leads on "Risen." She was only three when New Breed first started. Aaron Lindsay lends his hand on the album, with Kevin Camp serving as the co-producer while Chris Baker takes musical director duties. Charlin Neal serves as the vocal arranger for New Breed.
Israel always gives a New Breed spin on popular worship songs, and he does so with songs that are sung across the globe. "Mighty to Save" (which they have been singing for at least four years) comes by way of a reggae splash, while "One Thing Remains" gets a electronica/reggae/Gospel makeover. That's what New Breed does: they take a great song and bring it to an even wider audience. When you will hear the way they reworked "In Jesus' Name," you will understand why I had the "that's my jam" moment!
Having been a fan of the group since 2001, I have watched them sing song after song that draws the crowd into God's presence, encouraging participation with the focus fully on Christ. Basically, you cannot have a live New Breed album without that element. "Our God Reigns" (featuring B.J. Putnam and a little of Mariah) is perfect for those folks that cannot clap on the upbeat. It is one of those jumping songs that is great for young and old alike.
"Chasing Me Down" was the perfect song for Tye Tribbett to guest on. It is a song that would fit well on an album for either artist. The tempo change from verse (funky) to chorus (80s pop) to bridge is nothing but heat.
Those who remember "With Long Life" from the A Deeper Level album will instantly recognize how "I Will Live" was constructed. We could call it "With Long Life (The Reprise)" because for the most part, the song has Israel speaking to the audience and New Breed singing those very words. One profound moment of the song is when he gets the audience to sing these words: "The atmosphere of expectation is the breeding ground for miracles." It seems like the song can't get any better, then they throw in a portion of the classic "Whose Report Will You Believe?"
"Breathe Your Name" is beautifully constructed and written. The words "Surround my life / Surround my heart as I surrender to you....This selfish pride / This hidden sin / My brokenness attracts you / You take my sins / I'll take You hand / I'm letting go / So I breathe Your name / And I raise my hands / Surrendering all I am to You." By the time the song builds to the vamp or tag, I am beyond moved. This song is constructed like a pop rock ballad, but it screams "worship!"
A Yolanda Adams and Israel and New Breed collaboration was like a dream come true. However, "How Awesome Is Our God" did not really work for me.
Closing Thoughts:
This album has so many highlights, crazy licks (check out Justin Raines thumping the bass on "Thank You Lord"), powerful moments and declarations. Israel and New Breed never disappoint on a live album! This album has global appeal, from Asia to the rest of the world. There are many songs here for beginning worship teams to those with the professional musicians and seasoned singers.
Empowerment and Encouragement | Posted July-22-2015
There is a so much to say about Karen Clark Sheard. She is a pastor's wife and the owner of her own record label. Her career/ministry has spanned over 4 decades (and counting), but she is not slowing down.
Back again with a new album, Destined to Win, Karen enlisted the help of Donald Lawrence to serve as the producer. This is another album geared to assure people of who they are in Christ. Lawrence has worked well with Karen, and the good work extends to the new album. There are however a few moments where it seems like a Donald Lawrence and Company album featuring Karen Clark Sheard instead of the other way around.
The groove for the title track is just right, and Karen works the song with her signature runs and growls. However, she makes sure to emphasize the message that those who are in Christ are the winners over trials and meant to triumph. The title of the song "My God Is Big" is self-explanatory, but the way it jams has to be mentioned. Karen's voice is deceptively versatile. It is seasoned and unmistakable, but with a youthfulness to it. Her son J. Drew Sheard produced this song, and he again shows that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Karen's album 2nd Chancewas one of those albums where she dared to tackle songs that were a nice stretch for her, proving that she has been one to push the envelope. So it was a nice surprise to have a live version here of the banger "Only Call On Jesus." In typical Donald Lawrence fashion, he rearranges "We Acknowledge You" into a slower worship song in ¾ time.
Any fans of Karen, with or without her sisters, know that she can work a song. She took us straight to church with "It's Already Looking Better" and encourages the masses to dance and praise God in advance.
Closing Thoughts:
I love Karen Clark Sheard and her ability to preserve her powerful soprano voice. Fans will enjoy Destined to Win, although they may not like the fact that there are only 7 new songs and three remakes. However, the "less is more" approach shows that 10 total songs are enough for a complete album.
DwayneLacy_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
