BISHOP TD JAKES - A WING AND A PRAYER (2003)
Bishop TD Jakes and the Potter's House Mass Choir (under the direction of DC homeboy Min. Steve Lawrence) are back with their 3rd release on the EMI/Dexterity label -- A Wing and a Prayer. This disc features urbody and dey momma. Guest vocalists everywhere! LOL! Even though A Wing and Prayer is not the strongest of the Potter's House releases (I'm still in love with the first CD), it's not a bad project. The Potter's House choir shows out vocally on this project and the messages in songs like A Path In The Sea (I can see Bishop Jakes working the text of Peter walking on the water -- from which this song is derived) and Manifest (Pregnant with Possibilities -- E bo shondo! Yessuh) are indeed strong. Choir directors should definitely check out the song God Be Praised. Getchu a lil orchestra together and a baton and go fuh broke! LOL! I definitely would teach this if I still worked with choirs. Hearing Jesse Campbell sing all the juice out of Not By Power (y'all faded it out too soon, I'ma cut somebody!) was worth the cost of the CD for me. My girl Drea Randle (check out her debut disc Ooo Wee, produced by John P. Kee on Verity Records) handled her business on BET's Celebration of Gospel and she put it down on disc as well. It's Already Done should have been the lead single (Just wasn't feelin the Wing and a Prayer, love Beverly but this wasn't one of my favorite songs from her). I'm definitely waiting for the solo debut of Myron Williams, This brotha with the raspy vocals is wreckin shop! I could have done without the remake of His Mercy Endureth Forever (the choir rips that intro though) but it's a pretty popular song here on the site. Go figure. I set before you the options to buy or walk by -- you choose. LOL! I wonder what Bishop Jakes and Steve have cookin for the next release. Favorites Include: God Be Praised, A Path In The Sea, Manifest, My Everything, Not By Power & It's Already Done
TD JAKES - THE STORM IS OVER (2001)
PICK HITS: The Storm Is Over Now, When My Season Comes, Thou Art My Help
By now I think we all know that Bishop Jakes is walking in the favor of the Lord.. It seems like everything he touches turns to GOLD! Well expect nothing less from the sophomore release of the Potter's House Mass Choir called The Storm is Over. I loved the first CD and this project is just as good. What amazed me is the fact that R. Kelly wrote the title track. Why don't he just come on ova here on the Lord's side?! Enough wit da bump n grind already! :c) I think it's a given that when you have Kevin Bond producing/playing on your project, Bishop T.D. Jakes as your pastor, Steve Lawrence as your Minister of Music, and guest appearances by D'Atra Hicks, Beverly Crawford, Shirley Murdoch and Donnie McClurkin that your CD will be OFF DA HOOK! Mad props to Rodney Boyden, Marcus Belton, and Myron Williams too! I thought Myron was Bruce Parham! ADDITIONAL NOTES: The Devil's Already Defeated, and Marvelous
JOHN P KEE & NEW LIFE - NOTHING BUT THE HITS (2003)
Anybody that knows me (on or offline) definitely knows that I'm a huge John P. Kee fan. I got urthang the man has on the market. There's no way that he could have a greatest hits package. Why? #1 He has way TOO many hits. #2 You couldn't put too many of the tracks on one disc without them all sounding the same. lol! I don't mean that in a bad way. His style is just his style. Nah mean? I do have one question -- How in the ham sammich are you gonna put extras on Hez and Fred's disc but none of John's? You could have a least put the other version of Jesus is Real or some of the video versions of New Life's material on here. That was shiesty y'all! This is the worse disc in the entire series. Song selection (even though they did pick some of the best slow Kee songs), packaging, everything is blech! I'm sure a die-hard fan like myself will add it to their collection anyway. (Check for the Hooked On The Hits VIP Music and Arts Seminar disc coming May, 2004)
JOHN P. KEE & NEW LIFE - BLESSED BY ASSOCIATION (2002)
Scream it from the mountain top, scream it in the lowest valley -- My favorite gospel artist John P. Kee and New Life are back again! Blessed By Association is the 8th project from the New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee and it's hot ta def. The strength of this project lies in the variety of styles presented. Kee and New Life give us listeners a lil bit of everything to chew on. From classical, country, to Caribbean/reggae, and a lil house -- it's all here. My favorites on this disc include: He's The Greatest, I Won't Let Go, That's Why I Praise You, More Than Anything, Just For Me, At The Cross, and Oh How Wondrous -- Aww who am I kidding.. I love the whole project!
JOHN P. KEE & NEW LIFE - NOT GUILTY (2000)
It's been 3 years since the last New Life Community Choir album, but they're back and in a BIG way! This Double CD is guaranteed to propel Kee and New Life to much deserved success! Over 2 hours of music (28 tracks).. there is something for everyone to enjoy. From Traditional to Hip Hop.. Kee covers it all. Our favorites include: Right Here, You Blessed Me, Changed Me, My Healing, Sovereign, Best Friend, Rain On Us (remix), What's the Verdict. TRACK LISTING CD 1: The Interrogation, Right Here, I Do Worship Remix), You Blessed Me, Thou Art Worthy, Greater, Changed Me, Grateful, I'll Bless Your Name, My Healing, Peace, Sovereign, Rhema Word TRACK LISTING CD2: One Phone Call, I Believe, Simple Song, It's Possible, Jesus, Best Friend, Dance, Rain On Us, Wedding Song, Stop Hiding, Not Guilty, Break Out, Not Guilty (Partakrew Mix), What's The Verdict, The Exit
DEBRA KILLINGS - SURRENDER (2003)
PICK HITS: Message In The Music, Surrender, Oh My God, Jesus, You
I've heard the expression triple-threat -- but this here chick is out of control. She's a singer/songwriter/producer/musician/arranger/ composer. She's done background vocals for everybody and their momma. She plays bass and keyboards. She's just a bad somebody! The CD (with its many interludes) opens with the bass and drum heavy Message in The Music. This single produced by Austin & Kandi Burrus (Xscape) was a great choice to introduce this album. It proves that it's not only about the beats, but there has to be a message in the music. The title track of the album is a guitar heavy groove that tells the listener that once you realize that it's the Lord who has done so much in you life, you don't have any choice but to surrender. I love this cut. Oh My God has a rock feel to it with tight background vocals. Jesus (a favorite of mine) is one of those songs that you can't help but love because it's all about Jesus. Just the mention of his name. My! My! My! The track You is a electric piano (rhodes) heavy number that offers encouragement to any that will embrace its message. You can make it. Because of Your Love was written and features Fred Hammond on background vocals. Without Him closes the CD. We can't do anything without the savior. Debra the gospel industry welcomes you. I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeves. Can I suggest a hook-up with Tonex? That would be hot! ADDITIONAL PICK HITS: Because of Your Love & A Change
LONDA LARMOND - LOVE LETTERS (2001)
When I saw this young lady wreck shop on Bobby Jones Gospel, I knew I had to have this CD! This 25 year old Canadian is a breath of fresh air in the Gospel Music Industry. The thing I like about Londa's voice is that she just flat out sings.. and the material on the CD allows her to do just that! Most probably didn't know that she was soloist in another group on the EMI Gospel Label (Sharon Riley and the Faith Chorale), but you can experience more of her on the Life Is CD (Get To Know Him). Check out the remake of the Maxwell hit Ascension. I think I'll let the nuthinbutgospel.com visitors decide if they like Shun Pace or Londa's version better.. hmmm :c) Other favorites include He Lives, Love Letters, I Delight In You, Hold On and the slammin He's All Right With Me.
DONALD LAWRENCE & TRI-CITY - GO GET YOUR LIFE BACK (2002)
I love Donald Lawrence like a play cousin but this album is too many things. Before I start on the negative, let me just say that the brotha can write a worship song! He has an awesome writing ability and a choir that aint half bad eitha.. I feel like the choir is what's missing on this CD. You have a few songs that showcase the choir but the rest of the material (the studio songs) sound like they belong on somebody's solo album. The Best is Yet To Come is a upbeat number that flows in the same vein as Never Seen the righteous.. my only problem is .. did it have to be extended for so long. Seasons This song will make you go in everytime! Walter Hawkins does his thing! I Can't Complain: I remember DeWayne Woods from his John Kee and New Life days.. and while the song ain't bad.. I would have rather heard him on another cut. Miracle: skip/next.. I'm sure Arnetta will be putting out a solo album soon. She should. I'm still tryin to recover from Love the Hurt away. Bless Me: Wonderful song.. The saints just gon keep Jabez around for a long time! Excuse me.. while I lose my mind for increase! LOL (wassup blackgospel.com folk) Lord I Try: Now if you were going to extend a song it should have been this one! Usher Me and Go Get Your Life Back: Great way to close out an album that otherwise would have been taken out of my CD player half way through.
KENNY LEWIS & ONE VOICE - THE BRIDGE (2002)
Upon first listen -- I was like hmm whatever -- It wasn't until I sat down at work and really focused that I started gettin into this CD. Honestly though -- it's a hit and miss with me. I usually skip a few tracks and then I keep certain tracks on repeat. Straight off the back -- if you are fans of Craig Hayes & UV, Youthful Praise, B. Chase Williams & Shabach and Ricky Dillard & New G, you should enjoy this project. Speaking of Ricky and nem, if you check out their Hallelujah video, you'll see Kenny doing adlibs on the title track. The CD was recorded live in Chicago at Sweet Holy Spirit FGBC (Bishop Larry Trotter) -- drops another dime in the bucket for Chicago -- y'all folk out there are just bad! The songs that I'm feelin: Hold On (straight up church--grab ya tambourine and go fa broke), Bow Down (the choir is wrecking shop on this cut), Don't Take Your Joy (Kenny does his thing on lead--this is one of the cuts I keep on repeat), In The House (Messed up! Delivered! Yessuh!), Yes, and The Bridge (with all of its modulations). If you like choir music and have the extra coins, add this one to your collection.
