TBGB Pick of the Week: October 29, 2007

“Abundance of Rain”
Phillip Bryant
DrakeWeb Music Group 2007

Fayetteville, North Carolina gospel crooner Phillip Bryant recorded his debut CD, Gracefully (left), in 2005, immediately drawing deserved comparisons to Usher.

He’s back with “Abundance of Rain,” a smooth gospel single steeped in quintessentially ‘70s Earth, Wind and Fire jazz-soul fusion that fits it like a glove. Bryant’s vocals are laid-back, confident, and…well, graceful.

“Abundance of Rain” is about “Heavenly favor falling like rain,” and if the young man’s next album project is as good as this single, he will certainly get his share of well-deserved favor.

Kirk Franklin has a holy mission: save modern gospel music

From the Christian Science Monitor, October 12, 2007:

By Gloria Goodale | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

STUDIO CITY, CALIF., - Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin can't relax, even when he's supposed to, between tapings for his latest project, BET's "Sunday Best," the channel's gospel version of "American Idol."

Dressed in patent-leather pink sneakers, designer jeans, a stylish vest, and newsboy hat, the self-confessed man of God speaks backstage with passionate agitation about his current mission: wooing young, black men back into church, specifically the choir. Echoing the preshow pep talk he gave to the nervous contestants, he says that "everyone knows the best singers come out of the church."

But Franklin, who hosts the show, would like to see them stay and sees "Best," as yet another venue to forward that goal. "Gospel has become pretty much a female-dominated genre," says the Texas native, who sprang to fame nearly 15 years ago with the first gospel album ever to go platinum. He took home a passel of awards this year, including two Grammys, for his CD "Hero."

A MUSICAL CONUNDRUM
This push comes at a time when big record companies and major radio chains have begun to pay attention to gospel's drawing power. According to Nielsen SoundScan, sales in the genre have risen from $6.7 million in 1996 to nearly $40 million this past year. But Franklin says he's not measuring success by dollar signs.

Rather, he worries about the heart, and yes, the soul of true gospel. Commercial success bedevils him, he says, for the compromises it requires. Often, to get tunes played on mainstream radio stations, he and other gospel artists have been encouraged to tone down the "God" language, substituting more generic inspirational messages. This is the conundrum that keeps his fingers twitching and his legs shaking as he talks.

Jesus, he says, never pursued the limelight. His entire life signaled the opposite message, says Franklin. "He's from Nazareth, this hick town," says the singer, popping handfuls of trail mix in his mouth as he speaks. "But somehow, this little Jewish dude from a small town, some 2000 years later some people think he's a rock star and the savior of the universe."

The singer-songwriter knows he may be sending a mixed message with a show to spotlight the next gospel diva (winners receive a recording contract, a car, and a $300,000 gift to their hometown from the makers of Tide).

The format of "Best" follows the template of the Fox megahit: regional auditions, 10 "sing-off" episodes to winnow the field, and a small panel of judges who critique the contestants after they perform. The biggest difference in this version is that the judges are major industry stars: Bebe Winans and Mary Mary.

CARRYING THE GOSPEL TRADITION
There is also plenty of talk about the spirit and message of the song, which Franklin uses to bring home his point – this competition is not about fame so much as it is about getting to the heart of the song. The singers are judged on how well they get that across.

Nonetheless, he says fame is not the point of true gospel. He underlines that message further in his pep talk when he reminds the contestants that they're already winners by walking with God. "We should try to live such attractive lives that fame pursues us," adds Franklin.

This tension between the church and Hollywood is as old as popular entertainment itself. For decades, the best and most talented have deserted the choir ranks, drawn by the siren song of fame. "The list of names is long," says Robert Darden, author of "People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music."

But the issue takes on a new urgency with this generation, he says, because gospel lives through the singers who keep it current. If one generation drops out, then the torch gets harder to pass. He points to the dwindling number of old-style gospel groups such as "The Blind Boys of Alabama," and wonders who will carry that tradition forward.

This is no minor issue, adds the Baylor University professor, who heads up a newly created multi-year gospel-history project at the school's Texas campus. This is not just black music. "This is the foundation of American popular music," says Mr. Darden, without which there would be no rock or hip-hop. Darden applauds Franklin's work, calling it vital to the future of gospel.

Just as Franklin himself had to find his voice amidst a life of addiction and poverty, young men such as 24-year-old contestant Jermaine Sellers says Franklin's message is not easy, but it is possible.

Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, he says he's had to fight his way here.

"My skater-boy friends, they don't want to hear about God," he says. They don't go to church and think that anything religious will kill their street cool.

But Mr. Sellers is on a mission of his own. He points to his Converse sneakers. God doesn't care what we look like, he says, "He only knows what you are on the inside." The singer with the skater-boy look says he's doing the show to show his friends "they can come as they are."

THE NEXT GENERATION
While Franklin encourages all the contestants, he clearly has a special hope in his heart for Sellers. He embraces the slender young man after he sings, telling him he's the future of the church.

Later, perched backstage in his director's chair, the host says it's not easy bringing gospel into the 21st century. "People don't want to think too hard about their entertainment," he explains, but this is precisely what he tries to do.
"Entertainment shouldn't be comfortable," he says, "it should make you think. It should make you ask, am I a better person today than I was yesterday?"

But that message is a tough sell for modern musicians and audiences.

Trying to find something that can get people moving but doesn't sound old and antiquated – that's the challenge, he says.

Then, the intercom call comes for Franklin to report onstage. The singer hops down, excusing himself with a "God bless you."

BET president of Entertainment Reginald Hudlin watches from the wings as the show ramps up. Franklin changes people's minds about God in modern life just by the man he is, he argues.

"Viewers see the intelligence and craftsmanship and ability to express himself and think, 'that person is just like me, he seems like a fun person to be around,' " he says. "This gives kids another look at what it means to be a committed Christian."

Another Soldier Gone Home: Mother Emily Bram-Bibby

Gospel discographer Bob Laughton reported to TBGB this morning that Mother Emily Bram-Bibby, National Evangelist and member of the National Advisory Board of the Women’s Department, Church of God in Christ, died yesterday, October 23, at the age of 91.

Bram-Bibby was a recording artist for Savoy Records in the 1950s. Her powerfully piercing vocals were reminiscent of fellow COGIC members Madame Ernestine Washington and Juanita “Arizona” Dranes. Bram-Bibby was a member of Redemption COGIC, Kansas City and was singing at churches and programs as late as last November. More details will be posted as they become available.

Twenty-Third Annual Stellar Award Nominees Announced

From GOSPELflava.com, the official media partner of the 23rd Annual Stellar Awards, below are the nominees for this year's Stellars.

The finalists will be announced at the Stellar Awards gala at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville January 12, 2008.

Congratulations to all the nominees and best wishes in January!

Artist of the Year
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Smokie Norful; Life Changing ; EMI Gospel
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
Kelly Price; This Is Who I Am; EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)
Karen Clark Sheard ; "Blessed & Highly Favored"; EMI Gospel
Jimmy Hicks; "Born Blessed"; World Wide Music
P. Morton; "Let Go "; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba
Kurt Carr; "Still Standing"; Light Records/ Tehillah
Percy Bady; "Um Good"; EMI Gospel

Choir of the Year
Darius Brooks Presents, The Reunion Live in Chicago - Side A (featuring former members of the Thompson Community Singers) ; Journey Music Group
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir; It's Not Over; Emtro Gospel
Bishop T.D. Jakes & The Potter's House Mass Choir; Live in Kenya, Grace: The Kenya Experience ; Dexterity Records/ Rhino
Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise; Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise, Live! ; R.O.U. Records
Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir; Welcome to the City ; Tyscot Records/Alpha Dog Records

Producer of the Year
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
Kurt Carr, Tramaine Hawkins; I Never Lost My Praise - Live;Gospo Centric/ Zomba
David Mann & Tamela Mann; Tamela Mann - The Live Experience; TillyMan Music
Donald Lawrence, The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
Kelly Price & H.R. Crump, Kelly Price; This Is Who I Am ; EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba

Group Duo of the Year
The McClurkin Project; We Praise You; Gospo Centric/ Zomba
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
The Mighty Clouds of Joy; Movin' ; EMI Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters; Return; Tyscot Records

New Artist of the Year
Group 1 Crew; Group 1 Crew; Fervent Records/ Curb Records/ WB
Antwaun Stanley; I Can do Anything ; Bajada Records/ Lightyear
Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir; Welcome to the City ; Tyscot Records/Alpha Dog Records
DeWayne Woods; Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba
Jimmy Hicks & The Voices of Integrity featuring The Levites; Born Blessed ; Worldwide Music

Male Vocalist of the Year
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
DeWayne Woods; Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Troy Sneed; In HIS Presence; Emtro Gospel
William H. Murphy; Live in Atlanta, The Sound...Another William Murphy Project;; Music Group

Female Vocalist of the Year
Vanessa Bell Armstrong; Walking Miracle; EMI Gospel
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
Vickie Winans; Woman To Woman; Verity / Zomba
Tamela Mann; The Live Experience ; TillyMann Music

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Kenny Lattimore & Chante' Moore; Uncovered Covered; LaFace Records/ Verity/ Zomba
PAJAM Presents 21:03; Twenty One O Three; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Verity/ Zomba
The McClurkin Project; We Praise You; Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Zie'l; Genesis; Light Records/Gospel Warehouse Records

CD of the Year
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
Vickie Winans; Woman To Woman; Verity / Zomba
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
The Caravans; Paved The Way; Malaco

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
The Anointed Pace Sisters; Return; Tyscot Records
The Clark Sisters; Live - One Last Time; EMI Gospel
The Caravans; Paved The Way; Malaco
The Rance Allen Group; Closest Friend; Tyscot Records
Alvin Darling & Celebration; My Blessing Is On The Way; Emtro Gospel

Contemporary Male of the Year
Deitrick Haddon; 7 Days; Tyscot/ Verity/ Zomba
Dave Hollister; The Book of David: Vol. 1 The Transition; Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Fred Hammond; Free To Worship; Verity
Smokie Norful; Life Changing ; EMI Gospel
Micah Stampley; A Fresh Wind; The Second Sound ; Levitical Records

Traditional Male of the Year
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Still Standing; Light Records/ Tehillah
Rev. Timothy Wright; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Koch Records/Jordan Entertainment/ MQM Records
Alvin Darling; My Blessing Is On The Way; Emtro Gospel
Norman Hutchins; Where I Long To Be; JDI Records
Richard Smallwood; Journey: Live In New York; Verity/ Zomba

Contemporary Female of the Year
Coko; Grateful; Light Records
Tamela Mann; The Live Experience ; TillyMann Music
Shirley Murdock; Soulfood ; Tyscot Records
Vickie Winans; Woman To Woman; Verity / Zomba
Maurette Brown Clark; The Dream; AIR Gospel / Malaco

Traditional Female of the Year
Nikki Ross; Vol. 1 Touch: The Pastor Rudy Experience; Music World
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
Lemmie Battles;You're Looking At A Miracle LIVE; New Haven Records
Candi Staton;The Ultimate Gospel Collection; Shanachie Ent. Corp.
Prenestine Williams-Porter;Motor City Praise Records presents World Wide God; Motor City Praise

Contemporary CD of the Year
Shirley Murdock; Soulfood ; Tyscot Records
Sound of the New Breed; Freedom ; Integrity Gospel / Newbreed
Kelly Price; This Is Who I Am ; EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Deitrick Haddon; 7 Days; Tyscot/ Verity/ Zomba
J Moss; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba

Traditional CD of the Year
Tramaine Hawkins;I Never Lost My Praise - Live; Gospo Centric / Zomba
The Anointed Pace Sisters; Return; Tyscot Records
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Still Standing; Light Records/ Tehillah
The Caravans; Paved The Way; Malaco
The Rance Allen Group; Closest Friend; Tyscot Records

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Kelly Price; "Healing" EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
J Moss; "I'm Not Perfect" PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Deitrick Haddon; "Heaven " Tyscot/ Verity/ Zomba
Kirk Franklin; "Look At Me Now " Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/Zomba
DeWayne Woods; "Let Go" Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba

Traditional Choir of the Year
Darius Brooks Presents, The Reunion Live in Chicago - Side A (featuring former members of the Thompson Community Singers) ; Journey Music Group
Wilmington Chester Mass Choir; It's Not Over; Emtro Gospel
Bishop T.D. Jakes & The Potter's House Mass Choir; Live in Kenya, Grace: The Kenya Experience ; Dexterity Records/ Rhino
Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir; Welcome to the City ; Tyscot Records/Alpha Dog Records

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Joshua's Troop LIVE JT3; New Haven Records
Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise; Isaiah Thomas and the Elements of Praise, Live! ; R.O.U. Records
L. Spenser Smith & Testament; Statement: The Assignment Continues...; Emtro Gospel

Instrumental CD of the Year
The Craig Crawford Players; I'll Be With You ; Life Jam Records
Syreeta Thompson; Gabriel's Praise ; Blow Your Horn Girl Publishing
Lionel Jones; Papa Jones; Color Code Purple Productions, Inc.
Ben Tankard; Let's Get Quiet: The Smooth Jazz Experience ; Verity/ Zomba

Special Event CD of the Year
Various Artists; A Christmas To Remember ; EMI Gospel
Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin Presents Songs For The Storm Volume 1; Fo Yo Soul/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Mary Alessi & Friends; When Women Worship ; Miami Life Sounds Records
Various; Blackberry Records presents Wedding Songs ; Blackberry Records
Yolanda Adams; Yolanda Adams, The Best of Me ; Atlantic / Wea

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
The Cross Movement; HIStory: Our Place in HIS Story ; Cross Movement Records
Joe L. Da Vessel; Testimony: 1 Lyrics 4 Life ; D.A.A.S. What's Up Entertainment
Pettidee; Resurrections...Past, Present, and Future... ; Sony/ BMG/ Soldier Sound Records
PAJAM Presents 21:03; Twenty One O Three; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Verity/ Zomba
Various; BG Records Presents Gospel Skate Jams Vol. 2; BG Records

Children's Performance of the Year
Eva Sabiniano; Born To Praise; Pacific Studios
Kaira Miller; My Everything ; Vine Life Productions
The First Coast Children's Choir; Let The Children Sing! Volume IV Give an Applause!; Spirit of Life Records
Jada Simone Clark; Maurette Brown Clark's The Dream; AIR Gospel / Malaco Records

Quartet of the Year
7 Sons of Soul; Witness; Verity/ Zomba/ Soul World
The Mighty Clouds of Joy; Movin' ; EMI Gospel
The Rance Allen Group; Closest Friend; Tyscot Records
Slim & The Supreme Angels; The Judgement; Malaco Records
Pilgrim Jubilee Singers; Jesus Got Me Off; Malaco Records

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Jimmy Hicks & The Voices of Integrity featuring The Levites Born Blessed; Worldwide Music
J.Moss: "Operator"; V2... ; PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Shirley Murdock: "I Love Me Better Than That"; Soulfood; Tyscot Records
Vickie Winans: "The Rainbow"; Vickie Winans' Classic Gold Video Collection; Destiny Joy
Antwaun Stanley: "Teach Me"; I Can Do Anything; Bajada Records

Recorded Music Package of the Year [art credit / album (artist) / label]
Sean M. Kinney (art direction and design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); V2... (J.Moss); PAJAM/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Denise Trotman (art direction and design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); Woman To Woman: Songs of Life (Vickie Winans); Verity/ Zomba
Nicola Goode (photography); Welcome to the City (Bishop Noel Jones Presents The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir) ; Tyscot Records/ Alpha Dog Records
Anita Boriboon & Michelle Lukianovich (art direction and design); Kwaku Alston (photography); This Is Who I Am (Kelly Price); EcclectiSounds Entertainment/ Gospo Centric/ Zomba
Sean M. Kinney (art direction); Ronald Cadiz (photography); Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet; Quiet Water/ Verity/ Zomba

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Marcus Cole; Write My Song; PureSprings/ EMI Gospel/ Riverphlo
Micah Stampley; A Fresh Wind; The Second Sound ; Levitical Records
Troy Sneed; In HIS Presence; Emtro Gospel
Stephen Hurd; My Destiny; Integrity
Maurette Brown Clark; The Dream; AIR Gospel / Malaco

TBGB Pick of the Week: October 22, 2007

“Created 2 Worship”
Cedric Ford & the Worshippers
From the CD: Created 2 Worship
GetRight Records 2007
http://www.myspace.com/cedricfordandtheworshippers

Based in Houston but with roots deeply planted in Chicago's west side and south suburbs, Elder Cedric Ford has been singing since he could talk, blending first with his family's group, the Ford Singers, and later with Shekinah Glory Ministries.

"Created 2 Worship" is the title track of Cedric Ford & the Worshippers' new project. Recorded live at New Community Baptist Church in Houston, the single features a soothing melody and smooth ensemble harmonizing, while Elder Ford's hard-edged singing/preaching delivery hammers home the message.

Clocking in at 9:25, "Created 2 Worship" could use a radio edit, but at any length will be sure to echo in listeners' minds and hearts for sometime afterward.

TBGB Reviews...BeBe Winans

Cherch
BeBe Winans
TMG Records 2006
www.bebewinans.net

BeBe Winans’ new two-disc project, Cherch, scheduled for release Tuesday, October 30, is one of the most joyful projects since the late Bishop G.E. Patterson’s Singing the Old Time Way collections on Podium Records.

The title is a dialectical, tongue-in-cheek reference to the old-time African American worship service. True to its title, Cherch has a traditional worship feel, even though it was recorded at Dr. Jim Reeve’s well-appointed Faith Community Church in West Covina, California. BeBe has a friendly, easy-going rapport with the congregation, telling jokes, relating stories about growing up in a singing family, and reminding everyone what church was like when it was simply “cherch.”

Assisting BeBe on the live recording is a cavalcade of renowned artists, including Dionne Warwick (“I call her auntie, she calls me baby,” chuckles BeBe), the Soul Seekers, Israel Houghton, and others that mentioning their names will spoil the surprise. Needless to say, every special guest rises to the occasion of sharing the microphone with BeBe on a stack of traditional hymns and gospels, such as “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” “I Don’t Know What You Come to Do,” and “I Never Shall Forget What He’s Done for Me.” Donald Hayes’ sassy saxophone accentuates the Pentecostal feel of the service.

A seamless transition between tracks gives listeners a sense of being present for the service, though programmers need to be careful when queueing up the CD, as the track listing does not identify what songs are on disc one or two, and in one instance, two songs are combined on one track. Regardless, Cherch is one of those projects that you will want to have in your own personal rotation.

Four of Four Stars

TBGB Reviews...Mississippi Mass Choir Christmas

We Have Seen His Star
Mississippi Mass Choir
Malaco Records 2007
www.malaco.com

Gospel artists have been recording Christmas carols since Sister Rosetta Tharpe hit one out of the park in 1949 with her double-sided disc for Decca, “White Christmas”/“Silent Night.”

As expected, other labels leapt into the fray the following year to capture their own share of holiday cheer. In 1950, Mahalia Jackson waxed “Silent Night” for Apollo Records, and Gotham Records released odes to Christmas from several of its most popular gospel stars, including the Davis Sisters, the Harmonizing Four, and the Angelic Gospel Singers (the Angelic’s “Glory, Glory to the New Born King” became an instant classic). The Ward Singers released their version of “Silent Night” on Savoy in 1950, as well.

The year 1951 saw releases by the Patterson Singers and Charles Watkins. Christmas gospel-style reached its apex in 1962 when Vee Jay Records released the soundtrack of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, starring the Alex Bradford Singers, the Stars of Faith, and Princess Stewart.

The lure for gospel artists to produce a Christmas album continues apace, and with the holidays nearing, ‘tis the season for these CDs to start pouring forth into the marketplace. Among the artists with Christmas projects this year are Vickie Winans, Yolanda Adams, and the Mississippi Mass Choir.

We Have Seen His Star is Mississippi Mass’s contribution, and it features the big, bold, majestic sound that has been the group’s aural stamp since its founding by the late Frank Williams in 1988. The track listing is a mix of gospelized Christmas classics and newly-penned compositions. Some of the new songs, especially “We See the Star,” “Unfailing Love,” and the bluesy “Wise Men Still Seek Him” have melodies general enough that they can be enjoyed any time of the year.

For pure beauty, however, there’s the straight arrangement of “Silent Night.” “Glory, Glory to the New Born King” is included under the pseudonym of “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child.” The radio-friendly and finest track is “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” which begins with the choir singing like a jubilee group and morphing into the hard-singing chorus that it is. Soloist Lillian Lilly really sells this spiritual. It is reminiscent of the spunky arrangements on 1992’s successful various artists compilation, Handel’s Messiah – A Soulful Celebration.

The late Rev. James Moore concludes the project as a member of a trio of soloists on “Come All Ye Faithful.”

In true Mississippi Mass style, We Have Seen His Star ushers in this year’s holiday season with might and power.

Three of Four Stars

Gone Home on the Wings of a Dove: Leon Lumpkins

Thanks to Bob Laughton and Revs. Stefanie Minatee and Lawrence Roberts for alerting TBGB about this sad news:

Writes Rev. Minatee:

Just wanted to inform you that Gospel Music Legend, Leon Lumpkins, founder of The Gospel Clefs, passed away.

His wake is tomorrow (10/17) from 1-9pm at the Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, October 18th at 11 am, at Greater Abyssinian.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is Professor Lumpkins' obituary from the October 16, 2007 Star-Ledger:

LUMPKINS Leon Funeral home musical director, 73

Prof. Leon Lumpkins, 73, of East Orange died on Oct. 14, 2007. Services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church, 88 Lyons Ave., Newark. Viewing is Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, from 1 to 9 p.m. at church. Interment is in Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth. Send condolences to perryfuneralhome.com.

Born on April 26, 1934, in Newark, Prof. Lumpkins lived in East Orange. He was the founder of the musical group The Gospel Clefs. He was also the musical director for Perry Funeral Home for over 20 years and for numerous churches in the Metropolitan area. Prof. Lumpkins leaves to mourn, a devoted son, DaRon Lumpkins; daughter-in-law, Rachel Lumpkins; two grandchildren, Arielle Lumpkins and Nile Lumpkins; one nephew, Keith Lumpkins, and a host of other relatives and friends.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From TBGB:

During its long tenure, the Gospel Clefs of Newark, NJ recorded many songs that became gospel standards, including the smash hits "Wings of a Dove" and "Open Our Eyes." The latter was later covered by Earth Wind & Fire, and stands as one of the top gospel recordings of all time. Many of the Gospel Clefs' songs were composed by Leon Lumpkins, the founder, leader, and manager of the group. Professor Lumpkins will be sorely missed for his lyricism, creativity, and passion for gospel music.

TBGB Pick of the Week: October 15, 2007

"Every Time I Think About"
Jimmy Russell and BOC (Because of Christ)
From the CD "Live" (self-released) 2007
Available at CD Baby: cdbaby.com/cd/jrussellboc

Jimmy Russell and BOC tore up an early session of the Gospel Announcers Guild gathering at this year's GMWA with "Every Time I Think About." The recorded version, featuring the straightforward vocals of Dr. Betty Minus, does not pack quite the same wallop as it did live -- recordings seldom do -- but nevertheless, it's a fine traditional-flavored pick-me-up worth hearing in any format.

CD Single Review -- Bishop Nathaniel Bond and The Ensemble

“Over In Zion”
Bishop Nathaniel Bond & The Ensemble
From the CD A Message of Faith
4 Life Miracle Records 2006

From Joe Horn’s quartet-centric 4 Life Miracle Records and produced by the Christianaires’ Paul Porter with Terrell “Midge” Gatlin, “Over In Zion” is one hundred percent uptempo, hand-clapping quartet sound from a subset of Bishop Bond’s DHP Mass Choir, aptly dubbed The Ensemble, despite a perplexing but age-old avoidance of that particular term in gospel music.

The lyrics, which interpolate lines from traditional hymns, communicate the joyful anticipation of going to the other side of the river. If dying is this joyful, nobody need fear the coming of the day and the hour.

Bishop Bond and The Ensemble hail from Jackson, Tennessee.

TBGB Reviews...Jerard Woods

I Waited
Jerard Woods
Found Sound Music 2007
www.jerardwoods.com

No doubt about it: Jerard Woods can sang!

A coloratura gospel tenor in the style of Smokie Norful, Nashville-based Jerard Woods is a gifted vocalist who can worry notes without simultaneously distracting the listener from the song’s message. After singing behind many of today’s top-shelf gospel artists, Woods has finally come front and center.

On I Waited, Woods' debut project and the first release on his and brother Terry’s Found Sound Music, the singer is accompanied by a polished vocal group and musicians who give some cuts an urban contemporary feeling and others more of a jazz texture. Despite the CD's eclectic palette of musical styles, Woods is at his very best when provided only minimal accompaniment, as on the title track (with piano) and “Hallelujah” (piano and organ), when the instrumentation and arrangement do not overpower the beauty of his vocal technique.

The best track on I Waited is “I Bring You Jesus,” a duet with wife Jovaun. Jovaun is literally a female counterpart to Woods in her vocal flexibility, and scoops her shouts like Patti LaBelle did early in her career.

I Waited is a fine debut outing from a singer who has moved to the front of the altar and deserves to be there.

Three of Four Stars

TBGB Reviews...Marvin Winans

Alone But Not Alone
Marvin Winans
Pure Springs Gospel 2007
www.purespringsgospel.com

One of the smoothest male voices in gospel today, Marvin Winans recently released Alone But Not Alone, a collection of what sound like personal testimonies tinted with cool RnB. The project is among the first to be released on sister CeCe’s Pure Springs Gospel label.

The dozen songs deal with the struggle of maintaining one’s faith in the wake of life’s various vicissitudes, such as divorce, disease, and war (without and within). The soundtrack to this inner tension is constructed on melodies and arrangements that borrow liberally from smooth jazz and brassy-sweet ‘70s Earth, Wind and Fire and TSOP vibes.

In addition to “Just Don’t Wanna Know,” which I noted in an earlier entry has Oscar potential, other prime tracks are “Joy,” which features a classic chirping Hammond organ and an anthemic interpolation of the oft-gospelized hymn “I Can Tell the World.” Another standout is “Peace and Love,” made all the more interesting with its interjection of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” "Sinner's Prayer" showcases Marvin's vocal technique; the project couldn't have concluded on a more perfect note.

With superb production and Winans’ velvety, sincere singing, just about every one of the songs has crossover potential. Certainly Alone But Not Alone will appeal to fans of the sacred and secular. Besides, the Pentecostal church of Winans’ roots taught us that when you get right down to it, there is little distinction between the two when it comes to music.

Three and a Half of Four Stars

TBGB Pick of the Week: October 8, 2007

“Brand New Day”
Jonathan Butler
From the album Brand New Day
Maranatha! Music 2007
www.maranathamusic.com

Cape Town, South Africa-raised Jonathan Butler doesn’t need much help from TBGB, as “Brand New Day” is already in the top ten of Billboard’s gospel singles chart. Not surprising. It’s bouncy, confident, and reassuring. Truth is, it is downright hard to sit still when the single is spinning in the CD player, both because of its beat and its optimistic lyrics.

“Brand New Day” is very definitely the product of an artist with creative fingers in pop, jazz, RnB, and now gospel.

Beverly Crawford Lends her Voice to Obama Campaign

Gospel music has been recruited to further political campaigns since the early 1930s, when Chicago candidates tapped Mahalia Jackson to sing for their meetings. Back then, Jackson's performances -- reminiscent of old-time Southern religion in sound and physical movement -- were a way for urban politicians to speak the language of, and thereby curry favor with, new Southern migrants who moved to the North in part to gain the opportunity to vote.

Recognizing the continued power of gospel music to stir the souls of the populace, Senator Barack Obama has asked Beverly Crawford -- a singer not unlike the famed Halie -- to help him out with his campaign to be the Democratic candidate for President of the United States. The press release from Crawford's record company, JDI Records, is below.

**************************************

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has enlisted award-winning gospel singer Beverly Crawford to join him on the campaign trail, as his special musical guest, as he stomps through South Carolina and other crucial presidential primary areas in the upcoming months.

Riding high on the success of her chart-topping new single “He’s Done Enough” (currently the most heavily added song in the country according to R&R / Billboard radio airplay charts), Beverly Crawford is a multiple Grammy & Stellar Award nominee and is regarded as one of the world’s premier vocalists. Ebony Magazine says “… Beverly Crawford is one of the truly great voices of our times!”

Featured on her new JDI Records/Sony BMG Red release entitled Live from Los Angeles, Crawford’s new CD debuted last week at #8 on Billboard and hearkens back to her early performances with Dr. Bobby Jones & New Life – straight up unadulterated gospel!

“The call from Senator Obama’s campaign came as a complete surprise to me - I didn’t know he was a lover of gospel music” says Crawford. “I am both humbled and privileged to be a part of history in the making and I am happy to lend my full support to Senator Barack’s historic run to the White House!”

“He’s Done Enough has touched the hearts of so many people & I am completely overwhelmed by the response,” says Crawford. “When Professor Roberson from JDI first approached me about recording ‘He’s Done Enough’, I wasn’t sure but he said, ‘Beverly trust me, with everything that is going on in the world, people are longing to hear some real music that touches the heart and ministers to the soul’. Boy was he right! So I praise God for providing me this wonderful opportunity and platform, through Senator Obama, to tell the nation that “if the Lord never does anything else, He’s already done enough! For us to praise Him, for us to worship Him, for us to give Him the glory!”

For More Info: 213-381-7177

TBGB Reviews...Analisa

Analisa
Jesus…He Brings Me Joy
Spiritual City Music
www.spiritualcitymusic.com

A bevy of beautiful Latinas have burst onto the gospel and Christian music scenes in the past few years, most notably Jaci Velasquez, Joann Rosario, and Analisa. The latter cut her musical teeth on Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, and earned a scholarship to the University of North Texas School of Music, where she received jazz and classical training.

Loaded with such an eclectic background, Analisa would not be the first who comes to mind when considering new artists in the inspirational music field, but this summer she released her first sacred CD, Jesus…He Brings Me Joy.

The album’s twelve tracks breathe notes of CCM, gospel, jazz, and Latin music. Analisa is at her best on ballads, such as “Lord I Love You,” and “He Gives and He Takes,” when she just sings and doesn’t attempt to shout out of her range. But even on her ballads, Analisa’s kinship with pop music shines through. For example, on the breathtakingly lovely “This New Day,” her warm, purring vocals are reminiscent of 1990s Madonna when the Material Girl was showing her softer side.

Spicy Latin percussion and brass can be heard on “He Brings Me Joy” and “Thief in the Night.” While the lyrics are predominantly in English, Analisa sprinkles Spanish lyrics here and there.

The best track on the CD is “I Have Decided,” a contemporary reading of the hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” that tiptoes in but packs a mighty wallop at the end.

Jesus…He Brought Me Joy is one of those CDs that gets progressively better with each successive track until it finally grows on you.

Three of Four Stars

Ricky Dillard preserving old-time sound while appealing to younger audience

From the Chicago Tribune:

By Kelley L. Carter | Tribune staff reporter

October 5, 2007

Ricky Dillard delivers commands to the group behind him like a melodic drill sergeant.

Dillard and his troops, the New Generation Chorale, are shaking, bouncing and snapping in a retail music shop at Ford City Mall on Chicago's South Side, and the minute his baritone vocals pour over the microphone, mallgoers take notice of the weekday afternoon gospel concert.

He's bringing choir music back.

"It seems like everything is so microwaved now," says Robin Covington, a lead singer in the Chicago-based choir. "Church choirs need good songs too. It's like we're taking a back seat. That's what Ricky is trying to keep -- that James Cleveland-type of choir music alive. And that's what his call is."

Dillard, who will perform again Saturday, has charged himself with making choir music more relevant and attractive to younger fans without losing its integrity.

For his part, Dillard is regarded as one of the better choir directors in gospel music, arriving years after the late James Cleveland was credited with creating modern-day gospel and before Kirk Franklin crossed over to secular urban radio.

The 42-year-old Dillard has been sliding and singing in front of the New Generation Chorale, a 70-person choir, for the better part of 20 years. He spent his young-adult years advising Chicago-area church choirs. Since 1990, he has released six gospel albums and been nominated for two Grammys. "I'm trying to save the sound of the traditions of the church choir," Dillard says over the phone from his home in Atlanta, where he spends half his time. "If I don't do it, who's going to do it?"

He's hoping to better get that sound out there with his seventh album, released this week. This project, "7th Episode Live in Toronto," will be the initial release on his imprint, Animated Entertainment, distributed through EMI Gospel. He won't complain about the expansion of gospel music since the 1980s -- it's long past the days when fellow Chicagoan Cleveland developed and campaigned for it. But, says Dillard, it's gotten away from its subtle roots.

"I've noticed that the gospel industry is changing and the sound of gospel is changing Now gospel sounds secular sometimes. So in my area, which is in between contemporary and traditional, what I try to do is keep the signature sound alive," he says.

No pretense
The album is filled with the sounds of traditional church music and illustrates the essence of Chicago church music. Dillard re-creates that rafter-shaking, soul-moving, old-time religion sound that took gospel music from being a Sunday morning treat to one of the fastest-growing musical genres. In his music, there's no pretense or synths or backflips.

There's been a long-standing argument that gospel music has gone too far to reach younger consumers. Dillard delivers a hybrid of gospel music rooted in the traditional sound that appeals to young and old.

"He does this old-time religion with an updated flair, and it's great," says gospel music superstar Yolanda Adams, who lives in Houston. "It really reaches out across generations. My mom loves him too. I think gospel music ... has always been about the healing of the person. Ricky's music heals."

"A lot of times, we're missing the message behind the music because it's becoming so worldly. They're not really listening to the words because they're concentrated on the beats," says Larry Jones, a member of Dillard's choir. "He has the influence on young people to plant that seed in their life -- they'll think there's nothing wrong with singing traditional gospel music."

Dillard grew up attending St. Bethel Baptist church in Chicago Heights with his mother and grandmother.

It was there that he fell in love with church music and had notions of directing a choir one day. His dream was realized fairly quickly: He started leading the youth choir when he was 5 years old. "They put me up early because they knew I had something even as a boy sitting in the pews watching the older directors directing the choir," Dillard says. "From there I moved to the youth and young adult choir when I became a teenager."

He eventually befriended some of gospel music's best-selling and most influential entertainers, such as Adams, and they were sold on preserving traditional gospel music. He also was seduced by Chicago's organic house-music scene, and in the '80s released dance and hip-hop records to the club scene, including a European import, "Let the Music Use You."

He performed at a few clubs in Chicago and at hip house-music clubs in New York. But it was gospel music that moved him. And he wasn't exactly interested in combining the two.

Gospel music "is our heritage; it's a very vital part of our existence. That's how we sustained ourselves," says Erron Williams, a music producer who also is musical director at Dillard's current church, St. James Church of God in Christ in West Pullman.

Message of strength
Earlier this year, while he was recording this new project in Toronto, his home in Atlanta burned; Dillard lost most of his possessions in the fire. This album, he says, is a symbol of resiliency, delivering a message of hope and healing.

"My energy comes from the joys of the things that have been done in my life," said Dillard in an interview here earlier this week. "He [God] gave me strength to make it out of the storm."

In 1988, Dillard created the New Generation Chorale, now a national choir that meets every three months in Chicago. His music has been featured in films, including Steve Martin's "Leap of Faith," and he was a consultant for "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit."

"My life has not been a bed of roses. Every day has not been smooth and enjoyable. I have had some up days, and I have had some down days. And through those down days, my relationship with God has sustained me," Dillard says. "That is my message."

----------

Ricky Dillard will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at Life Center Church, 5500 S. Indiana Ave.; $5 to $15. (773) 288-1700.

klcarter@tribune.com

TBGB Reviews...Israel & New Breed

Israel & New Breed
A Deeper Level – Live
Integrity/Columbia 2007
www.newbreedmusic.com

With A Deeper Level, Israel Houghton is on his way to becoming America’s top Praise & Worship leader.

The latest installment in Israel & New Breed’s oeuvre stays true to the pacing of a live performance than many gospel CDs recorded on-site. For one, there is little, if any, silence between tracks. Second, the songs themselves have the feeling of being a connected collection of chapters comprising a project-long work. Such sensitivity to pacing gives the album a thematic quality. This likely has a great deal to do with Israel's personal preference for the live recording.

A note on that last point: gospel is arguably the one genre of music that almost necessitates a live audience for recordings, because it is only in the live environment, whether church or auditorium, that you can feel the electricity in the air and get a true sense of the impact artists have on their listeners.

While the songs on A Deeper Level are knitted together in a peaceful quilt – the opening moments of soft classical piano and violin set the tone – each track has its own individuality, and Israel & New Breed know when to go full throttle and when to pull back. For example, the beat of “With Long Life” has a Middle Eastern flavor, and T-Bone sounds for all the world like Chingy. “Identity” thrills with an African beat. “Surely Surely” has more than a dash of hip-hop. I found Israel’s remarks on social mores during this song refreshing, demonstrating that he is a thoughtful individual who recognizes that things are far more gray in the world than black and white. "Deeper" moves the mood back to one that is more reverent and prayerful.

The real keeper on the album is "You Are Not Forgotten," featuring Jonny Lang. I heard this song live and can testify that it is as heartwarming on the CD as it was in person.

Overall, A Deeper Level is an admixture of gospel, CCM, jazz, rock, RnB, and world beats. While the title is an obvious call for men and women to examine their life more closely (in addition to the lyrical content of the project, Israel has a companion book that goes into more detail), the title also suggests that sacred music is taking a deeper and more sophisticated look at itself in the context of a world that is getting more diverse and global every moment.

Three and a Half of Four Stars

Eveready's Aaron Beasley Dies in Detroit

The Gospel Announcers Guild's Second Vice Chairman, Lady Donna Creer, informed me today that Aaron Beasley, a member of the Evereadys (For Life Miracle Records), passed away today in a Detroit hospital.

As more information is forthcoming to TBGB, we'll post it.

For those of you wondering whether this iteration of the Evereadys has any connection with the Ever-Ready Gospel Singers who recorded killer quartet tracks for the Sittin' In With, Capitol, Abbott, and other labels back in the 50s, the answer is yes. Same group, different personnel. Here is what the For Life Miracle Records press corps says about the quartet:

The history of the Evereadys stretches back to 1950, when the legendary Jackie Wilson formed an a cappella Gospel group with Jack Johns, Lorenzo Jordan and Emmanuel Jordan. Fast forward past several ups and down, formations and disbandings, Billboard chartings, label signings and other twists and turns of life, and the group is back again, this time on NFL wide receiver Joe Horn's For Life Miracle Records.

Having seen the quartet perform twice at GMWA a couple of years ago, I'm here to tell you that the players may have changed, the sound may have modernized, but the quality is still there. The Eveready's can sing!

The rest of the Evereadys -- Marvin Reed, and Freddie and Jerome Williams -- survive their dear fellow quartet soldier, who has gone on home.

TBGB Pick of the Week: October 1, 2007

"If You Don't Have Jesus"
Miami's Blessed
from Gospel USA Magazine's Artists Favorites, Vol. 2
Artist Information: 305-302-9002

On "If You Don't Have Jesus," Miami's Blessed offers up wonderful falsetto singing and high harmonies reminiscent of the 1970s Stylistics and Spinners. The quartet's seemingly effortless delivery is so cool it could send all of South Florida into a deep freeze. It's the kind of recording that you just have to hear it once to have it echo in your mind for days.