ELEV8 » Gospel Music

Marvin Sapp’s “Here I Am” Sells For $3.99 Today Only

Mark Chappelle Coston — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:06 +0000

Stellar-award winning former Commissioned singer Marvin Sapp’s new album Here I Am is certain to be a hit based on the strength of the already-proven first single “The Best In Me.” But it looks like Amazon.com has got a little something up its sleeve to make sure Marvin’s 1st week sales look extra good. Amazon MP3’s special “Daily Deal” for today, happens to be a full download of Marvin’s “The Best In Me” that comes with a special download of the digital booklet as well.

This is good news for Marvin Sapp fans, but bad news for iTunes. Word on the street is that Apple is none too happy about Amazon threatening their nearly 65% market share. So Apple is making some threats of its own.

Amazon MP3’s Daily Deal offers a different full album MP3 every day at sharply discounted prices between $1.99 and $3.99. According to Hypebot.com, Apple has threatened many major labels that releases like Marvin’s Here I Am that patronize Amazon MP3’s Daily Deal will receive no promotion whatsoever on iTunes.

It must be validating to Amazon.com for iTunes to be so affected by their innovative, promotion tactics that they have to strong-arm the entire recording industry in order to keep the status quo. It seems however, that Verity Records and its parent companies Zomba Gospel Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment aren’t afraid of Steve Jobs or Apple’s henchmen, because Here I Am is available for download just the same.

Make sure to spread the word to your friends on Twitter, Facebook, and.. if you still have friends on MySpace.. run and tell it there too. To get your copy at the special price today, March 16, 2010 only, visit Amazon.com while it’s still hot.

Written by Mark Chappelle Coston for Elev8.com.
Add him on MySpace or follow @MarkChappelle on Twitter.

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41st Annual Dove Award Nominations

Elev8 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:07:22 +0000

From GospelMusicChannel.com

Nashville, Tenn. – February 18, 2010 – Jars of Clay, Skillet, Matt Maher, and Jason Crabb led the pack with six nominations each at the 2010 Dove Award nominations press conference, an event held at Belmont University’s Curb Music Café in Nashville. Bernie Herms leads in total nominations of eight, including Producer of the Year. Producers and songwriters Jason Ingram and Wayne Haun follow with seven nominations each.

Ben Tankard, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Jason Crabb, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe, Lisa Kimmey-Winans and Michael W. Smith were all on hand to announce nominations in 23 of 43 official categories.

With nearly 200 industry executives, journalists and artists in attendance, the event began with Pete Wilson, local pastor of Crosspoint Community Church and author of Plan B (Thomas Nelson) who challenged the crowd that “what matters is not what you accomplish, but who you become.” Wilson (withoutwax.tv), who has more than 40,000 followers on Twitter, also thanked the gospel music industry: “I’m forever grateful for how God has used you to shape my soul.”

Gospel Music Association (GMA) chairman of the board Ed Leonard followed by highlighting a few of the ways the gospel music industry has reached out to Haiti in its hour of need, introducing the powerful music video for “Come Together Now” (Music City Unites for Haiti) which was led by Michael W. Smith (written by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan).

Teary-eyed from viewing the powerful video, Michael W. Smith spoke briefly of his trip to Haiti and how long it would take for the people to recover.

“We may be here to announce Dove nominations today, but the true awards go to the people in Haiti and the meaning of something like this comes only through what we do in times like this,” said Smith, who visited Haiti after the earthquake. “Any recognition we give to those making an impact in this industry, goes all just to God’s glory and His fame, to be able to reach out further, to communicate His message to the world.”

He made special mention of U.S. troops in Haiti: “To watch our military not only keep the peace but love on the Haitian people was an image I’ll never forget the rest of my life…”

Other gospel music artist endeavors on behalf of Haiti were highlighted at the event, including Kirk Franklin’s recording and video of “Are You Listening” (to benefit UNICEF), TobyMac’s “Get Back Up,” for which 100% of royalties will go to relief efforts, Third Day’s “Come Together Fund” which raised over 350K for relief the day after the quake and the upcoming “Help Haiti Live” concert event (Amy Grant, NEEDTOBREATHE) planned for February 27 to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti relief efforts.

There were plenty of more light-hearted moments during the event, including Jeremy Camp asking Jaci Velasquez if she wouldn’t mind “pinch hitting” for him in reading the Spanish language nominations. All joking aside, Camp was certainly touched by the recognition he received.

“I’m honored to be nominated for male vocalist and pop album of this year,” said Camp. “Gospel music is represented by so many great, talented, and purely wonderful people. I’m blessed to be a part of it, and truly grateful to God for the opportunity and privilege to get to do what I do.”

The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be seen Sunday, April 25 at 8 pm et, only on gmc. This year’s awards will be hosted by Natalie Grant and MercyMe’s Bart Millard. Visit doveawards.com or gospelmusic.org for more information.

“As a little girl I would watch the Dove Awards on TV and be in awe of the gifted artists,” said Kari Jobe. “Now to be recognized as a New Artist nominee, it is both a humbling and joyful experience! I can’t wait to come to Nashville in April for the show.”

Jason Crabb, up for four awards this year, had a similar sentiment: “To be considered among the industry’s top choices as a whole is a shock for this small-town Kentucky boy. I’m a fan of these other artists, so I’m thrilled to be among them! All I can say right now is I’m grateful…grateful for my family, for God’s giftings, for His goodness, for so many people who make this happen and for allowing me to do what I love day in and day out.”

This year again, fans will be able to cast their votes online in two major categories, Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Voting opens the same day voting opens for GMA members, and will be available at gmclife.com.

The awards will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House. Tickets are currently on sale through the Grand Ole Opry Call Center. Call 1-800-SEE-OPRY/1-800-733-6779, visit www.opry.com or purchase at the Opry Box Office located at 2804 Opryland Drive, or the Ryman Auditorium Box Office at 116 5th Ave. North in downtown Nashville. Ticket prices range from $25–$200.

Without further adieu, here are the major categories and the 2010 nominees in each. Click here for a full list of nominees.

Artist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Casting Crowns
Jason Crabb
Jars of Clay
TobyMac
Mary Mary
Skillet

New Artist of the Year
Jonny Diaz
Kari Jobe
Revive
Sidewalk Prophets
Bluetree
Crystal Aikin
Brian Courtney Wilson

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
Gaither Vocal Band
Jars of Clay
NEEDTOBREATHE
Tenth Avenue North
Hezekiah Walker & LFC
Skillet

Female Vocalist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Natalie Grant
Mandisa
Dawn Michele
Laura Story
Karen Peck Gooch
Heather Headley

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jeremy Camp
Jason Crabb
Michael English
Brandon Heath
Bebo Norman
Mark Schultz
Donnie McClurkin
Smokie Norful

Song of the Year
“Born To Climb” by Jeff & Sherri Easter, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey
“By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North
“Free To Be Me” by Francesca Battistelli
“God Is There” by Diamond Rio
“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
“Let the Waters Rise” by MIKESCHAIR
“Revelation Song” by Jennie Lee Riddle
“Somebody Like Me” by Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs
“Two Hands” by Jars of Clay
“Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along” by Karen Peck & New River

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REVIEW: How I Got Sucker Punched By A Mighty Cloud Of Joy

Mark Chappelle Coston — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:28:07 +0000

“I don’t want to like The Mighty Clouds of Joy. I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna.” Can you see me kicking my feet, throwing an adult temper tantrum on hardwood floors? Perhaps, I should explain my bias.

I have a love/hate relationship with traditional gospel music, probably due to the unsavory type who I assume primarily listen to it. For me, it conjured up images of preachy, sour-faced, badly-aged church folks: women who wear hats big enough to shade people on either side of them, and men who wear suits and wingtips just to go mow the lawn. So I rejected the music on principle alone. But The Mighty Clouds of Joy’s latest, At The Revival, has proven to be some long overdue therapy for my old school issues.

NEW BLOOD, NEW LIFE

I caught word that soul impresario Raphael Saadiq produced the lion’s share of Revival. Relationally, the pairing seemed strange, but musically, it makes perfect sense. If you paid attention to Raphael while he was with 90’s new jack outfit Tony! Toni! Tone!, you could hear gospel music in the foundation of songs like “The Blues” and “If I Had No Loot.” Their debut hit “Little Walter” even went so far as to refigure its chorus from the old spiritual “Wade In The Water.”

To sweeten the deal, the Clouds also invited Donald DeGrate to participate, better known as DeVante Swing of influential (but now defunct) hip-hop soul trio Jodeci. This is the guy who launched the careers of both Timbaland and Missy Elliott. So I had to find out how he got into the mix with a legacy gospel group like Mighty Clouds of Joy.

It turns out that neither R&B/hip-hop trailblazer is too far removed from the church. Donald, along with his brother Dalvin DeGrate, began singing in a traveling gospel group that formed the embryo of Jodeci. And Saadiq has been a fan of the Mighty Clouds of Joy since listening to their records as a young child. It was he who reached out first to work on this project. So it’s no surprise that he turns out some of the most inspired results. I was sold on the first track within seconds.

GOOD INGREDIENTS, GOOD FOOD

The bluesy “Stop To Praise” opens with a well-traveled electric guitar extending a hand to welcome you in. Its steady bassline, courtesy of Raphael himself, locks arm-in-arm with a kick drum that sweetly peaks the VU-meter throughout the next 4½ minutes. It’s the type of song you might hear during the opening credits of some critically acclaimed big-budget flick starring Tom Hanks. Suffice it to say, this album sounds expensive. And that’s a good thing.

Next, lead singer Joe Ligon kicks off the album’s namesake tune with an engaging preach-sung interlude. After an introduction that’s part black history lesson and part tent meeting altar call, it launches into a feel good churchy groove. “At The Revival” is anchored with a faithfully simple chord structure and the Clouds’ solid backing vocals. I was amazed that it held my full attention. There’s nothing fancy here outside of good musicianship and superior technical prowess in the production.

It sets the stage nicely for “I’ll Be Up There,” a foot-tapping piece about the joy that we’ll see in Heaven. Where other groups might be tempted to riff such a likeable song into the ground, this one never overstays its welcome. It makes its point sweetly and moves on. I just wasn’t used to Gospel music being that polite. So I went back and listened to it again so I could tap my foot some more.

Easily one of my favorites on the album is “Hard Times,” lead by the late Mike Cook. The inspirational waltz-timed ballad expertly frames Cook’s sunny falsetto, and calls to mind the classic soul of a group like Heatwave or The Stylistics. A member of the Mighty Clouds since 1996, the album is dedicated to his memory.

The testimonial “Jesus Kind of Man” feels both vintage and contemporary all at once. This is the type of music that has permeated America, but hasn’t fully been acknowledged yet. Strip away the quartet vocals and replace them with John Mayer, and Billboard will regard it in the pop/rock category. If John Mayer’s not your thing (which these days, he’s not most black people’s thing), you could just as easily swap him out for Anthony Hamilton and it would become throwback R&B masquerading under the title of “neo-soul.” Replace Anthony Hamilton with Common or Nas, and it becomes conscious and street-credible hip-hop.

Saadiq’s work perfects the group’s tried-and-true sound. His less-is-more strategy turns out to be gold for the Mighty Clouds. The instrumentation is decidedly sparse, never cluttering the speakers with gaudy horn sections or orchestral pageantry. And I have never heard Joe Ligon recorded so immaculately. The grit in his voice, while no less plausible, gets buffed to a shimmery shine that makes every song easy to listen to.

NO RISK, NO RETURN

Their third album for EMI Gospel, At The Revival comes at a perfect time for The Mighty Clouds of Joy, as they celebrate 50 years of ministry. What better time to present some new elements than at such a pivotal milestone? This is where DeVante Swing comes in. Where Raphael Saadiq embraced the Clouds’ traditional sound, DeVante Swing takes occasion to embellish upon it.

Admittedly, some of the original Clouds have been replaced with young men who prop up the group’s legacy nicely. The turn of Ron Staples stepping to the lead on “I Love You Lord” places the Mighty Clouds in a setting that might easily house a group like The Soul Seekers or Men of Standard. While a modern context, DeVante’s style never feels anachronistic for them, only soulful and familiar.

It’s so familiar in fact, that you’ll have to forgive my digression here. Privately, I get a big kick out of my theory that “I Love You Lord” was originally intended to be a baby-making hit for Jodeci. Don’t tell me you can’t imagine K-Ci & JoJo doing choreographed pelvic thrusts in sync with the pop-pop horn hits in the chorus. Don’t lay that “bad visual” to the Clouds’ charge though. That’s just my satirical way of settling into the thought that traditional gospel music isn’t bad. One thing certain about At The Revival is, gospel or not, this is just good music.

If you dig a little bit into their history, Mighty Clouds of Joy aren’t playing so far out of pocket incorporating the full soul spectrum into their gospel sound. Once known as “The Temptations of Gospel” for their choreography and colorful costumes, they had a whole string of crossover R&B hits that flew under the gospel radar in the ‘70s. The biggest was 1975’s “Mighty High,” which topped the disco charts and was even covered by Gloria Gaynor, as well as Ike & Tina Turner.

Even though At The Revival is true to its genre, it doesn’t sound like my grandmother’s music. Something about it is accessible to me. So now I can call this music my own. If you’ve never ventured to listen to a group like Mighty Clouds of Joy, this is the album to pick up. Grab your copy on iTunes, Amazon, or Lala.com today! At The Revival is available right now both in stores and online services everywhere.

For more on The Mighty Clouds of Joy, watch this interview with lead singer Joe Ligon and then visit www.emigospel.com.

Written by Mark Chappelle Coston for Elev8.com.
Add him on MySpace or follow @MarkChappelle on Twitter.

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Seek First The Kingdom Makes A Splash With Free Mixtape

Mark Chappelle Coston — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:05:29 +0000

Could Seek First The Kingdom be the outfit that picks up where Cross Movement left off? This band is the latest group I’ve discovered courtesy of Gerard Bonner’s Bonnerfide Radio show. While reminiscent of a new incarnation of The Roots, SFK has a refreshing vibe that crosses hip-hop, ministry, and musicianship to great effect on their new mixtape The Upper Room.

Sometimes their sound is vintage and lo-fi. Sometimes it’s progressive and edgy. They grab you like the sound of some neighborhood musicians destined for greatness who, every time you pass by them practicing in their garage, you must stop for a moment and listen.

The group is making a smart play offering Upper Room for free download on their website. You say FREE MUSIC and it’s like shooting a flare into the air. It definitely got my attention. However, the great thing about Upper Room is that, surprisingly, it’s music that I would gladly pay money for. Here, SFK presents 9 tracks of well-crafted hip-hop that pulls more of its strength from passion for Christ and real music than swag and typical posturing wordplay.

The set opens with “Selftitled” which appropriately details why one should follow Matthew 6 and seek the kingdom first. And if you’re into this sort of thing the way I am, you get an extra kick out of the self-referential title when you hear the hook.

“I Can Do Anything” positions itself as an uplifting inspirational track without having a single Velveeta moment (cheesy and overprocessed). You have to love a record where you can’t tell if it’s a well chosen 50’s jazz sample or a well-recorded horn section arranged and tailored specifically for the song.

“Let Go” is a relaxing, warm midtempo number with a thumpy bassline. It’s not unlike A Tribe Called Quest’s “Stressed Out” or any of their other Dilla-kissed unduely slept-on hits. The San Diego, CA natives continue in a neo-soul vein and take advantage of local talent by inviting Tonéx (and his alter ego T. Bizzy) to contribute to the funky, disjointed “Dance.”

The star player on this set is the celebratory “Liberty City.” Brassy rap verses are sandwiched between a homespun horn section worth throwing your fist in the air, and a gritty funk bassline that could light up a sidewalk. It’s an undeniable feel good track.

I have no idea where Seek First The Kingdom came from, but I’m just glad they came. I hope they come back and visit us with an official release soon. Download The Upper Room Mixtape for free today!

Official Website: http://www.sfkmusic.com/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/sfkmusic

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SFKmusic

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/seek1stthekingdom

Written by Mark Chappelle Coston for Elev8.com.
Add him on MySpace or follow @MarkChappelle on Twitter.

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GALLERY: Gospel Community Shines At 2010 Stellar Awards

Sheeri Mitchell — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:16:19 +0000

The greats of the gospel music world came out in full force for the 25th Annual Stellar Music Awards, which airs Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 8:00 PM (ET) on the Gospel Music Channel.

Here at Elev8 we were privileged to get our hands on a few photos that give a sneak peek at the Red Carpet and behind the scenes at the 2010 Stellar Music Awards. Enjoy and Be Blessed Family!

Written by Sheeri Mitchell for Elev8.com. Follow Sheeri on Twitter! or visit her on Black Planet.

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Stellar Music Awards To Air Sunday, February 28th At 8:00 PM (ET)

Elev8 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:54:21 +0000

Gospel greats Bebe and Cece Winans rock the crowd at the 25th Annual Stellar Music Awards.From ChristianNewsWire.com

MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 25 /Christian Newswire/ — The 25th Anniversary Stellar Awards — the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors Gospel artists — will air Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Gospel Music Channel (GMC) as the climax to GMC’s celebration of Black History Month.

Vickie Winans, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin will co-host this star-studded event. Legendary vocalists Tremaine Hawkins, Shirley Caesar and Dottie Peoples will appear on stage together, as will Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Byron Cage. The show will also feature piano collaborations from Smokie Norful and Richard Smallwood, Hezekiah Walker with his Love Fellowship Choir and Ricky Dillard and New G with a Choir Collaboration.

To read more, click here

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New Marvin Sapp Album Coming March 16

Elev8 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:15:15 +0000

From Billboard by Gail Mitchell | February 24, 2010 4:16 EST

When it was time to record his next Verity album, Marvin Sapp decided not to tamper with the live formula he used on his 2007 best seller, “Thirsty.” So on Oct. 16 last year, he returned to the same site-Resurrection Life Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.-with the same talent-including writer/producer Aaron Lindsey and backing vocals director Myron Butler-to record the March 16 release “Here I Am.”

Verity got a jump on listener reaction to Sapp’s new songs by providing a live video stream of the performance/recording and a chat room on its Web site. “Thousands of people watched the stream from everywhere in the world,” Verity senior director of marketing Cheryl Marks says. “It gave us a bird’s-eye view of what hit home.”

That song was “Best in Me,” which after only nine weeks is shaping up as another No. 1 for the singing pastor. Co-written by Sapp and Lindsey, the song is No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. It’s another uplifting anthem in the vein of Sapp’s “Thirsty” mega-hit, “Never Would Have Made It.” That song ruled Hot Gospel Songs for 46 weeks and claimed the crown for the longest-running No. 1 on a Billboard airplay chart. The crossover R&B hit also propelled “Thirsty” to sales of 706,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

“Here I Am” revolves around messages of inspiration, praise and guidance delivered to full emotional and joyous effect on “He Has His Hands on You,” “Fresh Wind” and the title track. And Sapp takes his crossover appeal a step further by letting loose on the rock-infused “Praise You Forever.”

To broaden Sapp’s reach, Verity will stream the singer’s street-date retail appearance at the Experience in Chicago. An upcoming Atlanta in-store will be broadcast/streamed to 13 markets by local radio partner WPZE and air personality CoCo Brother.

Marks notes that gospel, like other genres, has less opportunities to spread its message on TV and in magazines. “But the one thing we have that other genres don’t is a church base.” -Gail Mitchell

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BET Sunday Best Wants You For New Auditions

Elev8 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:38:17 +0000

From SingersRoom.com

BET’s hit reality competition ‘Sunday Best’ is on its way back but, is in serious need of new contestants.

If you are talented and in need of a big break, three fresh audition dates are available to you within the next month.

According to organizers, auditions will begin February 20 in Detroit and conclude March 6 in Philadelphia.

‘Sunday Best’ season three U.S. auditions are open to contestants age 18 and older who have government issued forms of identification.

Doors to each venue will open at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 12 noon. In addition to the coveted title of SUNDAY BEST, the winner of season three will receive prizes from the Ford Motor Company, General Mills and Nationwide Insurance. Other brands integrated into the series include Walgreens, Design Essentials and Unilever’s Degree Brand.

See dates below and visit BET.com for more information.

Auditions:

DETROIT
When: February 20, 8 a.m. – noon
Where: COBO Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226

NEW ORLEANS
When: February 27, 8 a.m. – noon
Where: Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70130-1799

PHILADELPHIA
When: March 6, 8 a.m. – noon
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center One Convention Center Place
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

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New Releases In Gospel: End Of Winter Update

Mark Chappelle Coston — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:02:33 +0000

One of the most exciting releases coming up is the return of Myron Butler & Levi. For their third outing, this class act is finally delivering a live album on March 30th with guest appearances from Kirk Franklin and Smokie Norful. The title track and lead single was released digitally just last month. The album release will face off that week with the return of Tri-City Singer alumnus DeWayne Woods and his new release My Life’s Lyric. Woods is already getting attention from the release of the peppy praise single “Living On The Top” available now.

One release that’s sure to elbow its way to the top come release day is Marvin Sapp’s Here I Am. Both the CD and DVD will be made available on March 16. You have to have been under a rock to not know the impact Sapp’s “The Best In Me” has already had. The pre-sales alone already have the album positioned at #1 on Amazon.com’s Bestselling Gospel chart.

Right around the corner is the release of Karen Clark Sheard’s All In One. Her single “Prayed Up” is already at gospel radio and the second single “He Knows” will be getting spins soon. All In One is due April 6th. The same date will bring a new release from everlasting holy hip-hop heavyweights GRITS. Often a move from major label to independent results in a drop in quality, but the production value on 2008’s Reiterate actually went up and turned out to be one of their best yet, so my expectations are running high for Quarantine.

Although their release date is a few months off, I want to give you as much advance notice for new family band Their faces look young, but their voices are nothing to play with. Their single “He Wants It All” as well as the album track “Get Ready” are both on iTunes now!

BTW, Am I wrong for wanting to see them in a singing cage match against The Winans, The Jacksons, and DeBarge?

Also, if you’re a book lover, Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin have books coming out in April and May respectively. Mary Mary’s Be U will be on shelves April 6th, and I hear they have a bath and body products line going by the same name that should be out soon enough. Kirk’s new page turner The Blueprint: A Plan for Living above Life’s Storms releases May 18th. Yolanda Adams‘ collection of wisdom Points of Power is already available in stores. Get it now!

Independent Spotlight:

As is customary, some of the best music goes unnotice, so allow me to put in shameless plugs for some artists I believe in. If you’re into neo-soul and urban alternative, check out Adrianne Archie’s Heart Soul Mind Strength. I dare you to listen to the track “HSMS” and not rock with it. Or hear “Strong” and not nod your head and make that face that’s a substitute for words you used to say before you got saved.

You can’t go wrong with a pretty voice and a pretty face, so take a listen to the 6-song EP Beautifully Made from Leah Smith (who depending on the song can remind me of Beyonce, Mariah Carey, or Mya… the girl’s got skills).

More recently, I have NOT been able to stop playing Doobie Powell’s The Time Is Now album (true musicianship, good production, and the vocals are on point). Been specifically wearing out “Count It All Joy” and “Love of Jesus.” It’s a good project.

Also there’s only a single for it available, but “You Belong To Me” by Algernon just STAYS on my iPod. I’ll let you know what else I find! Anything good comes to me, I’m TELLIN’. Yes. I endeavor to be a “music snitch.”

Anyway, here’s the general overview for current and upcoming music releases:

January 26, 2010:

James Fortune & Fiya: Encore – (Black Smoke Music Worldwide)
Mighty Clouds of Joy: At The Revival (EMI Gospel)
Various Artists: WOW Gospel 2010 ( EMI/Verity/Word)

February 2, 2010:

Anthony Evans: Undisguised (INO)

February 16, 2010:

Youth for Christ: Thanks in Advance (Emtro Gospel)

March 2, 2010:

Bishop Paul S. Morton: Memorable Moments: The Best of Paul Morton (Light)

March 16, 2010:

Marvin Sapp: Here I Am (Verity)
Kirk Whalum: The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III (Rendezvous)

March 30, 2010:

Myron Butler & Levi: Revealed… Live In Dallas (EMI Gospel)
DeWayne Woods: My Life’s Lyric (Verity)

April 6, 2010:

Karen Clark Sheard: All In One (EMI Gospel)
Smokie Norful presents Victory Cathedral Choir (EMI Gospel)
GRITS: Quarantine (Revolution Arts)

June 6, 2010:

Forever Jones: Get Ready (EMI Gospel)

We’ll revisit this topic again. I hear there are new releases coming later this year for Twinkie Clark, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett (as a solo artist!), Kim Burrell (finally!), Dawkins & Dawkins (finally FINALLY!) and The Soul Seekers too!

Written by Mark Chappelle Coston for Elev8.com.
Add him on MySpace or follow @MarkChappelle on Twitter.

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EXCLUSIVE: Coko Talks Lost Music And Recording Her Next Album

Mark Chappelle Coston — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:00:27 +0000

Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with R&B and gospel singer Coko about her newest album The Winner In Me which is packed with energetic party starters, uplifting worship anthems, and guest turns from Israel Houghton, Kelly Price, Youthful Praise, and Canton Jones. If you missed the first part of the interview, “Coko Explains Why Fame And BlackBerrys Are Both Bad News,” you can catch up on it here.

Our chat continues below. Check out what she has to say about the entire album she lost when her record label closed down before it could ever be released to the public.

ELEV8: I have to ask you about my favorite song on the new album. What was it like recording “Rescue Me”?

Coko: “Rescue Me.” That song? It was great recording that song. It was funny. [When] I heard that song, I was standing outside a studio. Dave Caton played it and I went in there like, “please tell me that’s for me.” He was like, “Yeah! You can have it! Yeah!” I love that song as well. That’s a great song.

ELEV8: Most artists always record more songs than actually make the album. What songs or collaborations were supposed to be on The Winner In Me that just didn’t make it in time?

Coko: Oh, we didn’t do that this time. It wasn’t up to me. The label wanted me to record enough songs for the record. And that’s what we did. It just so happened that songs that we did record [were] really great songs. So we didn’t have any leftovers.

“#worstfeelingever working hard on music that goes unnoticed!”

– a recent tweet from @CokoClemons

ELEV8: Speaking of sophomore albums, in your last ELEV8 interview with Sheeri Mitchell, she said that RCA Black Music closed down just as your sophomore album was about to come out. There’s a sophomore album we didn’t know about?

Coko: Yeah! There’s a whole record! It was titled Music Doll that was comin’ out. Yes! And I have it!

ELEV8: Is there any chance that we’ll ever be able to buy it on iTunes?

Coko: Probably not.

ELEV8: Oh you’re kidding me. You gotta be kiddin’ me.

Coko: And I had a nice duet on there with Dave Hollister. It was hot. It was gonna be a really great record. But they closed and I didn’t want them to place me just anywhere, so I asked for a release.

ELEV8: So I’m listening to The Winner in Me right now, but what are you listening to on repeat these days?

Coko: I’m old school, so I’m listening to 80’s music, but one gospel song that I really like right now that I had to stop playing is Vanessa Bell’s new song “Good News.” Ohhhh I LOVE that song! And Sheri Moffett-Jones’ album is beautiful. Both stay on repeat in my car.

ELEV8: I be wearin’ songs out too. Makin’ the people around me mad playing “Rescue Me” over and over again.

Coko: (laughs)

ELEV8: By the way. I know you’re a fan. What was your favorite Clark Sisters album?

Coko: Oooooh. I was young, so I don’t remember the name of the album, but my favorite cut was “Endow Me” and I’ve always wanted to remake that song. I just needed the right people at the right time. And the timing was great for that.

ELEV8: As a gospel artist coming in the door with an army of people who already love your voice, has it still been hard to get audiences to fully embrace you?

Coko: I mean, it’s like some people do and some people don’t, but if I sit there and I worry about everybody that doesn’t wanna embrace me, I’ll go crazy. And I don’t have time for that. Either you like me or you don’t and that’s where it is!

ELEV8: Can’t disagree with that. The flipside though is I saw when you did the Sheryl Lee Ralph benefit Divas Simply Singing. And you smashed the medley of hymns. I’m like, “this girl’s performance is flawless!”

Coko: Awww!

ELEV8: But the audience was acting like they didn’t want to acknowledge it. I think it’s because you were singing gospel. [Secular artists on the bill got a much different response.] So how do you reach out to people that don’t like gospel, don’t like God, or only want to hear you sing R&B and can’t get used to anything else?

Coko: Well I think I did pretty good at Sheryl Lee’s thing, ‘cause when I finished, they were on their feet!

ELEV8: Finally!!

Coko: (laughs) Well I did somethin’ right and I guess if they was tryin’ to fight it, they couldn’t fight it anymore! With that kind of crowd, when they see me, they wanna hear “Weak” and things like that. ‘Cause I really wasn’t supposed to sing that song. I was supposed to sing “If Only You Knew,” but I didn’t know what Miss Patti LaBelle was singin’, so I didn’t wanna go there. [Patti LaBelle was headlining the Divas benefit that night.] I ended up doin’ the hymns song. I think it was better for me to do the hymn song ‘cause it really turned out good.

ELEV8: Hey, how did Patti’s standard end up in your show? You cover it with SWV and you did a great job on the Mo’Nique show recently.

Coko: Well, Patti LaBelle is somebody that I’ve grown up listening to and loving and just always wantin’ to be like her. You know.. hit those soprano notes! SWV has actually been singing that song for some years now. It’s just now starting to get out there. I do it with SWV, but I do it by myself as well.

ELEV8: Speaking of which, I know you guys are recording a new album. You talked about working with 9th Wonder. Is there a label and a release date yet?

Coko: No.

ELEV8: And now, when you tour with them, you don’t want to perform songs like “Downtown” and “Can We”. So when people ask you for an old version of Coko, is it weird?

Coko: I mean, you can ask!

ELEV8: (laughs)

Coko: …but it’s up to me. I don’t wanna do it? I’m not gonna do it! But we have a lot of other songs that they can get with and rock out to.

ELEV8: The Winner in Me just came out last year, but are you making plans for a new album yet? I almost can’t wait.

Coko: I really wanna get started on the new record. I have some ideas, my husband has some ideas, it’s just right now it’s so much goin’ on. You got the SWV stuff, but then on this side, I still have a lot of other things that I wanna do on this next gospel record, you know, comin’ up with some ideas and stuff. So, you know. I really wanna get started soon though.

ELEV8: Okay, then you’re forgiven for the whole iPhone thing. I can let that go now.

Coko: (laughs)

ELEV8: So with everything you’ve got going on now, how do you keep up with it all while taking care of your kids? It’s a lot for people who don’t have kids. How do you manage?

Coko: It’s a lot, but everybody knows my kids come first. Family comes first.

ELEV8: Do you have family support too?

Coko: Yeah, my mom is here, and she helps me out a lot. ‘Cause you know my husband plays for Israel & New Breed. He’s always on the go. I actually just dropped him off at the airport! So we’re always in and out. We make sure that the kids are straight before we do anything!

ELEV8: Well look. I think we’re out of time and James is probably givin’ me looks over there, but I’ll holler at him later.

Coko: (laughs)

ELEV8: It’s been really great talking to you. And I hope I catch you again.

Coko: Alright then, say hello and I’ll shout you out on Twitter!

So head on over to wherever you like to buy music and pick up a great album if you don’t have it already. And people, please stop bootleggin’, ‘cause it’s a recession for everybody and Coko needs to keep her job too.

You can purchase The Winner In Me online at iTunes, Amazon.com, and other digital retailers, as well as anywhere gospel music is sold. For more info, visit her official website www.cokosplace.com or follow @CokoClemons on Twitter.

Written by Mark Chappelle Coston for Elev8.com.
Add him on MySpace or follow @MarkChappelle on Twitter.

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