In the gospel music industry, collaborations are BIG. You wanna create a crazy buzz about your project before it hits the stores? Tell folks you’ve got an exciting collabo on it. You wanna kick up your television performance a notch? Perform a collabo.
This year was a great year for collaborative work. But I’ve decided to narrow the list down to my 5 favorite collabos. In order, they are:
5. “You Bring Out The Best In Me” – Vanessa Bell Armstrong feat. Rance Allen (from Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s The Experience)
When Vanessa Bell Armstrong decided to remake her own 80′s hit on her latest album, she prolly could’ve just done it herself and knocked it out of the ballpark. But she’s a kind and gracious woman, apparently, because she gave us the gift of some classic Rance Allen moaning and groaning that took this live performance to a whole… ‘notha… level. Their two voices grooving over some Donald Lawrence-produced background vocals– you kinda don’t want the track to end.
4. “The Joy Of The Lord” – Coko feat. Israel Houghton (from Coko’s The Winner In Me)
Coko is a masterful collaborator in gospel. It’s like she reads our minds and gives the mic to the VERY folks we’re aching to hear. On her debut album, she featured everyone from Faith Evans to her mama (Lady Tibba). This time around, she kept her mama, plus grabbed Kelly Price and Canton Jones. My fave collabo on the album, though (and, thus, one of my faves of the entire year), was with Israel. It’s a feel-good track with great vocal performances from both of ‘em… a true treat.
3. “Available To You” – Melinda Watts feat. J Moss (from Melinda Watts’ People Get Ready)
After a much buzzed-about debut album, Melinda Watts entered the gospel scene with a project that had a little something for everyone. Perhaps one of her strongest tracks was this duet with J Moss. Kudos for taking a song that is performed too much at midnight musicals and making it fresh for us again, and double kudos for enlisting the vocal assistance (not that Melinda was at all in need) of one of the best male vocalists in the game.
2. ”Every Prayer” – Israel Houghton feat. Mary Mary (from Israel Houghton’s The Power Of One)
When I saw that the Marys did a song with Israel, the last thing I thought I’d hear was a jazzy contemporary gospel track. But they mastered the performance like the pros that they are and it quickly became one of my favorite songs on his album, if not of the entire year. And there’s a GRAMMY nod to show for it.
1. “Wait On The Lord” Donnie McClurkin feat. Karen Clark Sheard (from Donnie McClurkin’s We All Are One)
I hear that Karen Clark Sheard wasn’t actually the original choice for this song– it was gonna be Tramaine Hawkins. That, too, would’ve been an incredible performance, but God does all things well and He knew that this duet was gonna dominate the charts and our iPods. On this song, Donnie stays true to his strengths– his a classic vocalist who can render a soaring ballad like few others– while Karen gives, arguably, one of her greatest performances in years.
Which collabos were among YOUR faves this year???
I enjoyed Fred Hammond's and John P Kee's collabo on "Wait on the Lord". I enjoyed the others also especially, "Every Prayer" and "Available to You".
I love the previous 5 choices. I'd like to add these to the mix. 5. "Great Is Our God" by Ted Winn featuring Myron Butler, Jonathan Nelson and DeWayne Woods. This foursome could possibly have the same impact that the Brat Pack had in the 90s. 4. "Tree To Tree" by Da T.R.U.T.H. featuring Tye Tribbett. Scandal and rumors aside, this is one of the most creative songs in Christian music to date. T.R.U.T.H. writes to Adam, while Tye gives the perfect vocal backdrop. 3. "God In Me" by Mary Mary featuring Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. No explanation necessary. 2. "Let The Word Do The Work" by Donald Lawrence and Co. featuring Brother Hahz. The track that in my opinion made a great album a classic. Donald Lawrence showed his genius by combining several styles into one song, and Hahz brought credence to the importance of Gospel rap. 1. "They That Wait" by Fred Hammond featuring John P. Kee. Two legends going back and forth on a feelgood track. Well written and produced by Fred, well worn out by Pastor Kee!
I like this list. I agree with your #1 pick. I didn't know about the Tramaine Hawkins choice but Karen gave one of her finest vocal performances. I can't imagine anyone else taking that song where she did. They need to get the Grammy. I also would've added "They That Wait" to my list.
*thinks about it* What did Tramaine have to do that she couldn't come through for Donnie? LOL
"You Bring Out the Best in Me" with Rance Allen and Vanessa Bell Armstrong just blew me away! When my friends and I start trying to sing like the artist and adding our own special pieces-it is a definite #1 pick:):):) Also, Karen Clark and Donnie were very encouraging. Right at the end when Karen is just about to make a new song altogether........we are all saying "Yes. Lord. I will wait! LOL
Like your number 1!!!!!! KCS
Love your choice EJ..."Wait on the Lord" with Donnie and Karen certainly blessed me.I do hope they get the Grammy.They deserve it.
Did Heather Headley's CD come out in 2009 that contained her duet with Smokie Norful on Jesus Is Love? If so, I would have included that one, it was done very well. I agree totally with #2 and #1.
Donnie and Karen are my favorite, they just ripped that song!
Since you said collaboration and not duet..I would have added "God In Me" to the list..I also loved Kim and Kathy Burrell's "Yes to Your Will"