NEW in GOSPEL (4.5.2012)

Listen... if you don't have that Marvin Sapp... SMH! I seriously went into worship while listening to it yesterday.  That CD is powerful.  Given the recent loss of his wife, the title of the project is so appropriate.  Everything about this project is TIMELY and INTENTIONAL.  Furthermore, coupling Pastor Sapp's leading, vocal direction of Myron Butler, and production by Aaron Lindsey - is a #WINNING combination.  I appreciate the musicianship, the finesse and the strength of this project.  I like that Pastor Sapp zeros in on the things that he does well, and remains consistent in his delivery.  And let me just warn you now... listening to the "Hymn Medley" will SEND YOU IN!!! If you get this project, you will not be disappointed.  Verity - you did well with this project, and this is what I will be expecting from all of your artists.  Lead single from his latest installment, I Win, is Marvin Sapp's "My Testimony".




I told you all about this project a few weeks ago, but I just wanted to subtlety remind you about J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise's latest project After This that just released on March 27th.  This album will be the album that choirs will be drawing material from this year.  It is a different sound for Youthful Praise too.  I love the maturity and richness that they've developed and the execution is great. This project marks 20 years for Youthful Praise's ministry.  It's great to see a choir that has stood the test of time, proclaiming kingdom messages with poise and precision.  I think that this project highlights the innovation of Youthful Praise.  The project features gospel favorites like James Fortune, Tye Tribbett, powerhouse-alto Lisa Knowles (YouTube her... BANANAS!), Pastor Hezekiah Walker, Pastor John P. Kee, and THE Lashun Pace.  I wouldn't be a good brother if I didn't shoutout my boy David McClure (a YP tenor)... he leads a song on the project as well giving the saints some of his GOOD singing on this project as well.  Title-track from the project, here's "After This".

this next review is done by Ms. Jordan Welch

 

Take 6 is back with a new album, “One”.  This album encompasses all of the traditional crazy progressions and amazing harmonies that we all know and love from this jazz acapella group.  With songs like “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “In My Heart”, this group without a doubt can take what we know to be traditional and add an unforgettable spin to it.  Also a strong piece in their music is their ability to encompass story telling.  In previous albums, with songs like “David and Goliath”, Take 6 has made story telling in songs to be compelling and very entertaining.  This most certainly reigns true with this album’s “Noah”.  Take 6 has also done some outside of the box executions, with surprise jazz segments that take you to a jazz paradise and makes you truly appreciate the gift inside of this group as they make murals with their voices to truly get lost in the beauty of their sound.

Take 6 is one of my favorite groups across genres of all time. In addition to remaining relevant, they are the archetype for complex harmonies.  Whereas many people use digital effects to accomplish polyvocal rhythms and dissonant harmonies, Take 6 has been doing it naturally for years.  This latest installment is a testament to the tradition of being inherently innovative.  Thank YOU Take 6!!