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Two Thousand Six was another
great year for independent labels and artists. Independent gospel quartet
recordings certainly made waves in the industry last year. The recordings
from independents are now in the same league as those from the major labels.
In addition, a new label was introduced to the industry in 2006 – Low
Rush Music, LLC. Low Rush started with just one artist and
has grown to be one of the strongest independent labels in the industry
today. To a great extent Low Rush is re-writing the way artists are being
treated by labels. Under Low Rush, the artists maintain their
independence, while at the same time being a part of a team (the label),
whose mission it is to keep traditional gospel quartet music alive.
Several of the groups/artists that are now on this label had their CD
reviewed by us in 2006.
We began the year with a review of
The Williams Singers’
Hav’n Church. This was the sophomore project for this very
talented group. The project showcased the vocal talents of the members as
well as their ability to writing inspiring gospel songs. In that, you
realize that The
Williams Singers take
the worship service higher and higher with each track. They in fact are ‘Hav’n
Church’
throughout the project.
In February we reviewed the long awaited
Pilgrim Wonders’
live recording from 2004. The CD is titled Live in Canton,
Mississippi, Back – Better Than Ever. This is an awesome CD. The two
complaints about the project are 1) there is no video of the live recording.
In order for there to be a video,
The Pilgrim Wonders
would have to do what The
Mighty Clouds of Joy did
with their “In The House of The Lord, Live In Houston.” That
is, record the video in another setting. And 2), the shorting of the song “The
Time is Now.” However, these observations should not prevent
you from adding this CD to your collection.
The Yancey Brothers of
Newark Delaware, was
spotlighted in March. Every now and then you pick up a CD that you just want
to listen to over and over and over. Well,
The Yancey Brothers of Newark
Delaware’s O’
Lord I’ll Go certainly fits into that category. The group has a
style that is quite unique. Yet, it is solid traditional gospel quartet
music. The vocals are smooth. No rough edges. There is nothing gritty about
their voices. And the harmony is one of the best. There are eleven tracts on
this CD. Each song ministers to you in a way that leaves you wanting
more. In fact, one of the unfortunate aspects to the CD is that there are
only eleven tracts. These guys are so smooth and so tight in their singing
that it would not be a stretch to say this CD could easily become one of the
favorites in your collection.
In April we reviewed the freshman project of
Minister Fred Collins & The
San Diego Gospelaires.
The title of their new CD is I Made It Through The Storm.
This group is on the NO LOC Records label. This relatively new label
is sure to make a lasting positive impact on the gospel music industry.
The release of I Made It Through The Storm indicates that the
label is not only position to deliver a high quality product to the
marketplace, but more importantly deliver a product that is full of the Word
in song. According to the bio on NO LOC’s website, the group is
comprised of four gifted gentlemen who are dedicated to keeping the
traditional sound of gospel music alive. Minister Collins’ love of
traditional and contemporary gospel quartet music is what inspired him to
form this group through the guiding of the Holy Spirit. His southern
upbringing (Arkansas) and bible teaching are clearly heard in the songs he
writes and performs.” There is definitely a Word for someone in every song.
May gave us the opportunity to review
Karen Washington & The New
Singing Stars'
Jesus Is Alive.
This is the group’s third recording. Their first CD, which was
recorded in 2000, was titled "Help Me Make It." In
2003-2004 they recorded their second CD titled "Jesus Is My Everything."
This CD was produced by Eric Sharper of Dream Reality Productions. The newly
released CD, "Jesus Is Alive," was released in 2006. The 2006
release was also produced by Eric Sharper of Dream Reality Productions. We
indicated that to really understand the depth of Karen’s musical
talent it is appropriate to shed a little light on her background. She
began singing as a youth in her church’s choir. In 1975 she was instrumental
in forming the group “The
Family Starlites."
They performed for many years together spreading the gospel through songs.
The group Karen
Washington and The New Singing Stars
was formed in 1995. The new CD, Jesus Is Alive, contains
11 new songs.
For the month of June we introduced you to
The Anointed Sons of Jersey.
Their new release is Christian Race. There is something on
this project for anyone interested in good gospel music. This group has the
talent and the professionalism to become a household name. The group is one
of the few groups that can actually champion the fact that they have five
(5) lead singers. The group is so talented that any of the singers can
step up to the microphone and take the lead. The songs on this CD are rooted
in traditional quartet gospel music. However, there are pleasant
musical surprises throughout the project. At times, some of the songs lean
toward the contemporary genre. However, listen carefully and you will
hear, even on the songs with a contemporary slant, good gospel quartet
singing.
For the month of July we reviewed we spotlight the CD Move Satan
by The Gospel
Imperials of
Huntsville, Alabama. This is an exceptionally talented group, with a
great CD. The group was on the MARS label. They are now in the LowRush
Music camp. One of the first projects the label released was the MARS
recording by The
Gospel Imperials'
Move Satan. One of the first things you will notice about
this group is that they are polished. They have strong lead singers,
extraordinary vocals, tight harmony, smooth timing, and a great message in
each song. One of the drawbacks to the CD is that there are not many
original songs. There are, however, great arrangements to all of the
songs. The songs chosen for this project are, in general, a perfect
match for vocals of The Gospel Imperials.
For August we reviewed the new release by
The Gospel Incredibles.
The project is titled One Moment To Be saved. It is not
beyond belief that The
Gospel Incredibles'
seventh recording would provide their fans and new fans with a CD that is
sure to become a favorite of all fans of good gospel music. To aid in this
accomplishment, The
Gospel Incredibles
also called upon the talents of Eric Sharper, of Dream Reality Productions,
as the producer. With a powerful message in each song conveyed by the
very talented Gospel Incredibles, and with Eric Shaper as producer, this
project is indeed worthy of all of the accolades it will garner.
The Gospel Incredibles
have been able to stay true to their roots – traditional gospel quartet, and
yet deliver a fresh and exciting sound with this new project. The CD
certainly has something for everyone. There are the smooth ballads
like “One Moment To Be Saved" and “Can’t Live My Life
Without You,” the praise and worship songs like “You Got A
Friend” and “Thank You Lord,” and the upbeat tempo
songs like “Lay Your Hands On Me Jesus’ and “Standing On
Holy Grounds.”
In September we introduced to you the group
The Holloway & Drake Singers
from Camp Hill, Alabama.
Their 2006 recording is titled Live Once Again - Camp Hill, Alabama –
Run and Tell That. The project is aptly titled Live Once
Again. To really appreciate the meaning of the title, you needed
to know that the group’s 2004 CD was also a live recording. That CD
was titled I Know He Can. Like the I Know He Can
project, the new CD also contains twelve songs. The emcee introduces
the group by saying that the group “knows how to sing, will sing, and going
to sing.” Well, he was right. This group can really sing.
For the month of October we reviewed
The Zionaires’
sophomore project - Still Blessed. This group has
developed into one of the best in the delivery of hard hitting gospel
quartet music. After spending several years sharpening their musical
talent, The Zionaires
released their first project entitled Got What You Deserve in
2003. On that project they called on Jesse Jeffcoat of
The Five Singing Sons of
North and together
gave us the ever popular “Just Wanna Be Remembered.” The
group members’ love for God and sincerity in singing praises to our Lord and
Savior are definitely revealed in this project. The fifteen tracks on
this project will certainly get your feet moving.
In November we took a look at
The Gospel Connection’s
freshman project, Back For The First Time. The title
appears to be saying something that is impossible – How can you be “Back” to
something you have never experienced before? According to the group, the
answer is found in “Jeremiah 1, where it speaks of God knowing us before we
were even formed. Meaning God knew who we [were] and knew our True Identity.
He formed it! Also we know we were formed in the very thought and mind of
God. So as time progressed and we matured holistically as a group, we
began walking in our True, Predetermined, Stature. Some people can
identify with the newness while others might [be able to] perceive it.
That's why to some people we're just ‘BACK’ with another CD but to those
that truly have a spiritual insight they can see ’THIS
GOSPEL CONNECTION’ is
here for the first time. We haven't seen this group before. No more
songs of old, God has given us new melodies, a Distinct Sound. Whereas
before we were just singing Gospel, now, for the first time we're walking,
talking, professing and living the True Gospel!” The ages of the group
members range from 17 to 29. With their youth and talent, this group is in a
great position to be the one to bridge the divide between the older gospel
quartet groups (and their fans) and a new generation of younger gospel
quartet fans.
We closed out the year with
The Sons of Favor
of Indianapolis, Indiana. Their freshman CD is “Be Careful.”
Several members of the group previously were with
The Daytonians of Dayton,
Ohio and
The Christian Souls.
The group certainly has a unique sound and style. The recording is
rooted in traditional gospel quartet music, yet you will notice a touch of
country, blues and contemporary being prominent on various songs. The
instrumentation on all of the songs is at the right level for the vocals.
It was indeed a great year for independents. We look with much
anticipation to 2007.
Below you will find Gloryland Gospel top 5 independent labels or artists
picks of 2006 and the top 15 independent groups to watch in 2007. This
list is in no way all inclusive, however if you're looking for the best of
the best you will definitely want to add these recordings to your music
collection. The order in which the projects are listed does not
necessarily represent their ranking. God Bless and we look forward to
an exciting 2007 for gospel quartet music.
Top 5 Independent Releases of 2006
1. The Gospel
Imperials "Move
Satan"
2. The Pilgrim
Wonders "Live
In Canton Mississippi"
3. Holloway &
Drake Singers "Live
Once Again Camp Hill, Alabama"
4. Karen
Washington & The New Singing Stars
"Jesus Is Alive"
5. The Yancey
Brothers "O'
Lord I'll Go"
15 Groups to Watch in 2007
1. Redemption
– We are still waiting to hear from you!
2. Eternal Light
– Would like to “know what’s going on?’.
3. The
Brewsteraires – Still
singing, but will they record in 2007?
4. The Gospel
Warriors – A live
recording, with video, would still be great.
5. The Selvys
Singers – Will this
finally be their year?
6. Billy Hardie
& The Gospel Soul Brothers
– Is the group still singing?
7. Deacon
Williams & The Soul Converters
– Hope to hear a new CD in 2007.
8. Brian Mayes
and Heavenbound –
Will we finally get a new recording?
9. The Prodigal
Sons – Must be
working on something?
10. The
Messengers – Will Low
Rush give us a new project?
11. Joe Agee
Featuring GGOB (God's
Good 'Ole Boys) – ?????
12. The Harmony
Quintet – Time for a
new CD..
13. The Pilgrim
Jubiletts – Waiting
on something new.
14. The Second
Chapter – Would
really like to hear from this group in 2007.
15. The quality of products from Independent Labels and groups not on a
label will continue to improve.
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