It’s no secret that Ricky Dillard, along with the late O’landa Draper, practically wrote the book on how to be choral frontmen with dynamic expression, over-the-top energy and catchy choreography.

With his 8th project, Keep Living, Ricky Dillard again demonstrates that he is THE choir director of today’s gospel industry.

After opening with the project’s banging lead single, “God Is Great,” Chrystal Rucker lends her guest vocals to the title track, “Keep Living.”  This track is a choir tune at its best– it’s the type of tune that “midnight musicals” and “special programs” are made of– and Rucker’s soprano vocal soars to unparalleled heights.

The album moves seamlessly to “Destined for Greatness,” a mellow choir groove with a driving vamp, then to “Speak A Word,” before launching into the progressive, rock-laden “He Turned It.”

Without looking at liner notes, I skipped through tracks to figure out which would feature Lillian Lloyd. Within seconds of hearing the Hammond B3 swell on “My Soul Says Yes,” I knew I had found it. And Lloyd delivers exactly what her supporters wait for– a dynamic punctuated lead and inimitable ad libs that force you to pay close attention.

There are other standout moments on the project as well, like the killer lead vocal from acclaimed vocalist Nikki Ross on “He’s Been Just That Good”, and Karen Clark Sheard’s guest appearance on the vamp of ”The Sweetest Name.”  Perhaps one of my favorite cuts on the album is the well-executed cover of the classic Hawkins tune “Strange” (featuring jazzy scats and riffs from Nikki Ross). The big-band vibe of this tune made it a perfect candidate for New G to remake it, and the newly-added shouting vamp seals the deal.

Throughout Keep Living, the now-famous wobble vibrato that New G brings to the table is consistent and well-placed, but songs like “Speak A Word” demonstrate a welcomed vocal maturity akin to Donald Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers.

Ricky Dillard & New G’s Keep Living is full of singable songs for any Sunday morning, expressed by an untouchable choir with polished lead vocals, and led by gospel music’s master of the choir.

The album drops tomorrow (April 26), but you can listen to snippets and pre-order right here, right now!

Kim McFarland, Monique Walker, Táta Vega…

At a time, these were some of the choir/ensemble soloists whose names were practically synonymous with the leader of that choir or ensemble.

You saw Andraé Crouch, you expected to see and hear Táta Vega. You saw Hezekiah Walker, you expected to see and hear Monique Walker. You saw Milton Brunson & The Tommies and you’d better get to see and hear Kim McFarland!  With solos on various songs by their respective groups, these and other voices served as the benchmark for the sound of contemporary choir music.

Out of curiosity– who are the choir/ensemble soloists of the new school?

My mind instantly wanders to folks like Zacardi Cortez (James Fortune & FIYA), David McClure (JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise) and Lillian Lloyd (with Ricky Dillard’s New G).

Who else comes to mind???