I have a feeling that this song is going to be HUUUUUUUGE at radio, in churches and on stages across the U.S. of A.  It’s just got that vibe.

I’m talkin’ about the newest single from VaShawn Mitchell, titled “Nobody Greater.”  It’s from his upcoming album, Triumphant, which will be released via EMI Gospel on August 10, 2010.

The production is tight (Daniel Weatherspoon!), the vocals are tasteful and just right… the song is beautiful.  Love it.

And for your listening pleasure, I’ve added it to the PunditPlayer.

Click here to listen!!!

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!!!

EXCLUSIVE LISTEN – DOUBLE PLAY!

Ashmont Hill is one of my favorite new groups.  Their self-titled debut album was released in 2008.  I don’t think it got NEARLY as much attention as it deserved, but in due season…

They’re back with their sophomore album, Your Masterpiece, which will be released on May 25th and GospelPundit.com is giving you the exclusive first listen to TWO NEW TRACKS– the title track, “Your Masterpiece,” and another called “Around.”

If you recall, my wife and I visited them in-studio back in September and I raved about a song that they were working on– “Your Masterpiece” is it.  That track features beautiful lyrics and great vocal performances from the group.  “Around” is a catchy and rousing declaration of praise– “your love has turned me around.”  It’s great stuff!

I’ve just added BOTH OF ‘EM to the PunditPlayer.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!!!

And make sure you lemme know what you think!

Earnest Pugh hit me up last week to let me know that he’s working a new single– “The Great I Am.”  The track is featured on his latest album, Rain On Us, and you can request it at radio NOW.

I’ve just added it to the PunditPlayer, so click here to take a listen and let me know what you think of the song!

Heard this track over the weekend and I’m STILL going crazy over how much I love it…

J Moss sent me the “REmix” to his hit single “Rebuild,” and I’ve added it to the PunditPlayer for you guys to enjoy.

Click here to take a listen!

And lemme know what you think!!!

EXCLUSIVE!!!

You heard her sing it on BET’s Sunday Best last year and it’s the first single from her debut album, The Promise (in stores July 13th).  No need for much intro…

The single will be hitting radio next week, but before it does, you know how I tend to do…

I’ve got your first listen to Y’Anna Crawley’s “Grandma’s Hands” on the PunditPlayer.

Click here to check it out!!!

And tell me what you think!!!

I heard that the first single from contemporary quartet The Soul Seekers would feature Pastor Marvin Winans, and I knew it would be incredible on that basis alone.

The track, “It’s All God,” does not disappoint.  It features a simple melody, tight harmonies, great instrumentation, and guest vocals from the incomparable Marvin L. Winans.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve added the track to the PunditPlayer.  Click here to take a listen!

In February, I reported that the album, titled SS2, would be in stores on May 4th, but I think it might have been pushed back a lil’ bit.  Once I hear, I’ll let ya know.

In the meantime, lemme know what you think!!!

Many of you might not have heard much about Michelle Bonilla yet, but she’s actually not a “newcomer” to the industry.  In addition to being featured on Cross Movement’s Grammy and Dove-nominated album, Higher Definition, she released her debut album, Phenomenal, in 2006.

The Brooklyn, NY native has just released her sophomore project, In Spite Of Me, on Tuesday and there’s quite a bit of buzz about her on the world wide web.

Her first single, “I Love You,” is an urban/pop Christian tune with a nice track behind it and understated, but strong, vocals.  I’m likin’ it!

And cuz I love you guys so much, I’ve added her new single, “I Love You,” to the PunditPlayer.  Take a listen by clicking here!!!

I want you to check her out and lemme know what you think!

Byron Cage has released the second single from his most recent project, Faithful To Believe– it’s called “I Give You Praise.”

To me, the vibe of it is rather similar to his first single, “Faithful To Believe.”  I dunno that I would have chosen it as the second single– I would’ve preferred something a little slower from him, maybe “He Will Answer” (one of my faves on the project).  Interestingly, that song doesn’t feature Byron’s lead vocal until  he reprises the chorus at the end… maybe that’s why they passed on it.

In any case, “I Give You Praise” is not a bad song– he’s doing his singing on it, the bgv’s are good, the band is hittin’…

For your listening pleasure, I’ve added it to the PunditPlayer.

Click here to take a listen and lemme know what you think of it!

It’s rare that I pass on doing a CD review, then fall so helplessly in love with a project that I change my mind.  The Anointed Pace Sisters’ latest project, Access Granted, was one such CD and this, the debut album of Smokie Norful’s Victory Cathedral Choir, is another.

The album, Smokie Norful Presents Victory Cathedral Choir (EMI Gospel), was released this Tuesday and, in a nutshell, I’m loving it.  BIG TIME.  Song after song, this project delivers classic choir music that will fit well into the 11am service at anybody’s church.  From choir vocals, to lead vocals, to songwriting and production, the project is a must-have that does not disappoint.

While Smokie Norful is responsible for “presenting” his church choir, I’m glad that it doesn’t feel at all like a Smokie Norful album.  In fact, you’ll only remember that he’s involved with it two times– on the two songs he leads.  Everything else screams “Chicago old school choir” like Milton Brunson & The Tommies or something.

The album opens with the invitational chant “Rejoice” before moving to the band-banging “Come Too Far,” led by Norful.  The vibe slows a bit with “Your Latter,” with a lead vocalist slightly reminiscent of Kim McFarland.

Up next is the shout-ready single, “The Greatest Name,” followed by “You’re All I Need,” a beautiful choral piece that almost sounds like it could have been recorded by Richard Smallwood & Vision.  The worship ballad “You Are Holy” comes next, set delicately to a beautiful piano with an equally beautiful lead vocal over it.  From there, the cohesive project continues to moves seamlessly, from Smokie Norful’s lead on the downright churchy “I’m Still Here,” to “Refuge” and “Just Knowing Jesus.”

The project ends with what might be my favorite track on the album (and which, in my humble opinion, might have been a better single), “I Made It.”  The precise syncopation of the band, choir and lead vocalist on this classic churchy, hand-clapping tune… it’s Sunday morning in all of the right ways.

I think what I like most about this project is that it’s an ode to the true church choir.  It reminds of the days when choir soloists were content to sing their song on Sunday and go back to their 9-to-5 during the week.  The fact that they could sing the walls down at church didn’t make them want to be national recording artists– they were content to serve in their local body.  And serve WELL.

That rant will be for another post, but in the meantime– click here to purchase this project!

I added the single, “The Greatest Name,” to the PunditPlayer several weeks ago (click here to listen again).

Anybody else have this incredible album yet?  Anybody gonna check it out???

I wanna take a quick moment to feature a cool new artist, Josiah “Jojo” Martin.  He’s actually been writing and doing background vocals behind the scenes for quite some time, but he’s just now stepping out on his own as a solo artist.

In addition to offering BGV’s for PJ Morton and Fred Hammond, Jojo is currently producing an album for Stephanie Mills, as well as writing and providing vocals for the long-awaited album from Dalon Collins (former member of Kirk Franklin & The Family).  You’ll also find his work on the latest releases from James Fortune & FIYA and, soon, on the newest album from VaShawn Mitchell.

At age 25, Jojo’s voice is incredibly reminiscent of the great crooners from the old skool.  He’s got a gritty tone that reminds me of someone like David Ruffin or Jason Nelson, but a vocal delivery that definitely has some modern, urban flavor to it.

He’s anticipating a full album release later this year.  In the meantime, I’ve just added his first single, “Always,” to the PunditPlayer.  I’m REALLY diggin’ it.

Click here to take a listen and lemme know what you think!!!