CD Reviews

Crystal Aikin
“Crystal Aikin”
Verity/Zomba

This is my girl! I am so excited about this new CD and this awesome woman of God.  My friend, Crystal Aikin, who is a native of Washington State and a former nurse who has been singing for years in her home state.  I even remember a local gospel group called, Soul that she used to sing in. Look at God now she’s come out with her debut self titled CD and has such a powerful anointing all over her that she will ministry to so many in the body of Christ and to unbelievers.  I was rooting for Crystal when she appeared on television and then became the very first winner of BET network’s show, “Sunday Best”.  Congrats on that win and congrats on this new project.  What a project!  It’s full of the best talented producers in the gospel industry and she can sing ya’ll.  The album is produced by PAJAM, (J. Moss) Asaph A. Ward, Kirk Franklin and other standout greats.  The CD is full of some great tunes that have something for everybody and from number 1 to cut 10 it is the bomb. The first cut is the radio single entitled, “I Desire More”, it speaks on God to let your will be done, less of me and more of you…I desire more!  Crystal sings her heart out on this song and she feels what she sings about and you will feel it to.  Other standout songs that will grab you are, “What If (He Said No)”, “A Song About Jesus” and “Even Me”.  I love those cuts! I love the entire CD.  Oh, and check out the tune, “Breathe On Me” featuring the vocals of award winning talent Natalie Grant.  Now that’s heaven.  My favorite this week, and it changes every week is “Lord You Reign Forever”, it’s simply jazz flava at its best with tight vocals.  Sing Crystal and give God the Glory!  

Shari Addison
"Shari Addison”
Verity/Zomba

This is a powerhouse of a singer that takes you higher every time you hear her minister.  Shari Addison is the first runner-up on BET’s “Sunday Best” Gospel program and she was a lot of people’s favorite.  She came a long way with her skills to deliver and perform to now she is a wonder to many in the industry.  Addison is from Chicago, IL and her self titled project is a traditional CD with a lot of urban flavor to it.  She had a chance to work with hot producers like her hometown guy, Percy Bady, Daniel Weatherspoon and Donald Lawrence.  What a way to kick things off on your first major album.  Addison has a message and a blessing for you on this CD.  Radio stations are in love with the first single titled, “No Battle, No Blessing”, it’s a powerful song produced by Kevin Bond and it encourages us to keep the good fight of faith, keep fighting for your blessings.  Shari told me in an interview that “mission accomplished” for her to ministry to the people and not to compete or look at the TV show as a contest but an opportunity to minister to the saints and now everybody can enjoy her labor of love.  Check out the songs, “He Does All Things Well”, “Whateva”, (you will groove to it!) “I Praise You” and “One More Sunny Day”.  These are songs that we need to hear and if you are going through, just place it in your CD player and let this lady lay it down for you to be blessed.   

Donald Lawrence & Co.
"The Law of Confession, Part 1"
Quiet Water/Zomba Gospel

This is one of the most powerful projects that I have ever reviewed in my career.  The CD delivers God’s promises to us through the awesome mind of producer, songwriter and singer Donald Lawrence.  This is his best album ever that I have witness and be influenced by in his history of producing records. Donald has earned the biggest first week sales of his career to date with the release of his sophomore solo CD, “The Law of Confession, Part 1”. I recently had a chance to catch up with Donald Lawrence at the BMI Trailblazers Gospel Luncheon in Nashville, TN where he was honored by BMI and his peers.  He thought that he was too young to be honored but when he looked back at all of his past work and projects he stated, “Oh yeah, I have done some fine work.”  He has and this is his best.  He has gone to a new dimension in the Gospel industry and has a new CD for everybody.  Lawrence says that the most important part of this CD is the message.  It’s all about God’s Word. Lawrence states that, “the project is a spiritual law for confession: you just say what God has already said.”  Radio is pumping the airwaves with the lead single, “Back II Eden”, where we are living on top of the world…I love it!  Other standout cuts are, “The Blessing Is On You”, “Let The Word Do The Work”, “Happy Being Me” and my favorite “There Is a King in You”.  The whole project ministered to me and it will lift you up and let you know that your blessings are in the word that you speak.  So speak the Word over your life because there is a law of confession.     

Niyoki
“Rest”
D2G Records

This is a wonderful woman of God who came on the Gospel scene in 2007 as an independent artist with the CD, “My Everything’ with a grooving hit song called, “He’s Here”.  Niyoki has a fresh air anointing with a hot sound that reaches all of her listeners.  She used to work with Prince back in the day and now she is back with another hot project that the entire album is a blessing to your CD player and to your soul. Her new offering is the CD entitled, “Rest”.  I love the entire project from track 1-13.  It’s full of some slamming urban hip hop cuts like the opener, “Where Would I Be”.  Niyoki’s vocals are tight and you will bob to the sounds of the next jam, “All That I Have”.  Check out other standout songs like the radio smash, “Joy” (I love the video too!), “He’s Chosen Me” which is a happy song and it’s hot. I like the urban-flavored cut, “I Wanna” and the rock grooves of “I Win”. There are some nice ballads and worship tunes on here as well. Just listen to one song and it catches you to check out the rest. It’s titled “Rest”…enjoy.

Paul Porter
“A New Day”
Light Records

It’s a New Year and there’s a new sound coming from one of our favorite traditional artists.  It’s Mr. Paul Porter!  He’s walking into a New Dimension with his debut solo project entitled, “A New Day”.  It’s full of great Quartet Gospel and some R&B flavor.  Paul has one of the most recognized voices in Gospel and a great smooth sound that will bless his old fans and some new ones.  We all remember him from the legendary Quartet group, the Christianaires, but now he’s coming out alone with a new look and new sound.  Check out the first cut, “My Redeemer Lives”, a hot upbeat traditional song that Paul tells us that I know that he’s walking beside me…love it!  Listen to the mellow tune, “You Are”, give an ear to the urban R&B cut, “You’re Blessed” (Nice!).  The powerful vocals of powerhouse Rance Allen comes to help out Paul on the song, “If There’s No Tomorrow”.   Paul gets his old friend Harvey Watkins, Jr. of the Canton Spirituals to deliver an awesome duet of the classic tune, “He’s There All The Time” (That’s Gospel!).  Radio is enjoying the single, “What Did You Do?” It makes you wanna dance and clap your hands to this great CD. It is indeed a New Day for Paul Porter.

21:03
“Total Attention”
Zomba Gospel 

These are my boys, Jor’el, Evin and Torrence of the 2008 Stellar Award winning group 21:03.  They are back with their sophomore project release entitled, “Total Attention”.  The group has some tight vocals with an R&B urban flare and energy that is out of this world.  They are produced by the poplar production crew out of Detroit, MI, PAJAM, Paul “PDA” Allen, J. Moss, and Walter Kearney.  21:03 can sing, dance and these guys love the Lord and you will enjoy the new project.  There is something for everyone on this record and I had a chance to interview the guys and they said that this CD is for everybody to stand up and give God your total attention and be excited about God.  I love it!  It starts out with a Take 6 appeal smooth-out vocal selection which they switch it to their 21:03 style flavor with a heavy beat.  It’s the Gospel tune entitled, “Riverside”.   My favorite song is the new single that is already burning up the internet, “You”.  The song is a big drum hot track that tells us that we would’ve never made it without YOU!  Don’t get it twisted… I made through Jesus, that’s who.  The radio hit that is blessing everybody is the soft mellow tune, “Cover Me”, which features the vocals of 21:03 and special guests Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful and J. Moss.  I need you to pray for me and cover me…I know that’s right!  Check out some of the other standout cuts like the Chris Brown urban sounding song, “Holding On To You”, the hot titled track, “Total Attention” and the upbeat cut, “U Got Me Through” featuring J. Moss.  Can I please have your attention?  Go get the CD “Total Attention” and you will be blessed. 

Tye Tribbett & G.A.
“Stand Out”
Columbia 

Sound the alarm!!  The battle has begun, there’s a war going on and we will win, just stand up and STAND OUT!  That’s how things get started on this hot new CD entitled, “Stand Out”.  We are in a war but we don’t have to fight, all we have to do is stand out.  That’s what’s being preached on this project and I think that Minister Tye Tribbett has done it again.  The group is coming right off the heels of their last project, “Victory LIVE”.  Now they are now blowing up the Gospel charts with the new CD “Stand Out”.  It was recorded live at the Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, VA.  This group out of Camden, NJ is a force to be reckoned with and they are giving God all the glory in everything that they do.  Tribbett along with his ensemble, Greater Anointing (G.A.), are blessing millions with their hip hop choir music and I think that it’s coming straight from the Almighty God.  Radio forced the airwaves to stand out and pump up the title cut, “Stand Out”.  My goodness, it’s awesome and I saw them minister the song live and it blew me away.  The new single is nice as well and I’m now spinning it hot and heavy, check it out for yourself, it’s called “Hold On”.  I like the soulful song “Look Up” featuring Kierra “KiKi” Sheard.  Don’t sleep on the contemporary praise song, “Bless The Lord (Son of Man)”, it’s a true worship song and you will be slain into the spirit.  Tribbett wrote all the songs and check out the bonus track, “Good In The Hood”, this one is for Camden, NJ and all of the good people in the hood.  You will love the true urban cuts but there are some great worship songs on here that will have you giving God some serious praise.  It’s time for us to stand out…it’s a movement thing.  Enough said. 

Christopher Lewis
"Crisis - Change Is Required" Tyscot

This is my homeboy "Chris" Christopher Lewis from Goldsboro, NC, who loves people and he is a true worshipper. He has a brand new CD that is full of hot urban tracks and some real worship music. His new project is entitled, "Crisis". This CD explains Lewis' turningpoint in life and he talks of his stuggles and how he had to make a change in his life. The two-disc project opens up with a hard-hittin' contemporary cut called, "U Don't Know", it's a fresh urban song about when your friends can't help you and nobody is there except God...God is Faithful! I love the jam, "Joy", a smooth radio single that has that urban feel with an old school flavor to it. Lewis sings and explains how he went through but the joy of the Lord is his strength. Joy gonna come in the morning ya'll!

Hey, check out these other stand out cuts like, "Man Inside of Me" (Love it!), "The Fall of London Bridge" f/ Darlene McCoy, it opens up with some Drama. I like the traditional/blues flavored cut, "Show Me The Way" f/ Bishop Paul S. Morton. It's a feel good tune. You will enjoy this entire CD from Lewis, now living in Atlanta, GA but this Carolina fellow will bless you and help you get out of your crisis.

The Murrills
"Family Prayer" Zomba Gospel

This is the debut album from the former Tri-City Singers members brought to us from THE producer of producers, Stellar Award winning producer Donald Lawrence. This is a real family that is together to display their love and love for the family. They are glad to come together to be with the family one more time. We introduce to you now Brothers Darwin, Damion, Donnell, Andre, and Durwood and sister Arnetta who have been praying and singing together since they were little kids. Donald Lawrence signed this awesome family to his Quiet Water Entertainment label under Zomba and now this CD is making some serious noise with the first radio single, "Family(There's A Healing)", a stong song f/ D. Lawrence and the vocals of Arnetta, who can just SANG!!! God is healing the family and we need this message to get out to the masses. Hey check out the other cuts like, "Better"(that's my favorite), "Survive" and the hot jam, "How I Feel About You"(Great Song!). Get your family together and let the healing begin with this project.

Brothers In Unity BIU
"Stand" 3G Entertainment

These are three of the most talented brothers that I know.  Brothers In Unity aka BIU are here to minister to the world with their blend of harmony and smooth R&B style.  All they have to do is open their mouths and the songs just come out.  The guys are Melvin (Mel), Terry (Big T.) and Accie (AC) Griffin from North Carolina and they have a strong anointing that will have you giving God some serious praise after you hear their sound.

They are coming at you strong with their new CD entitled, "Stand".  This is a masterpiece of excellent praise from these ministers of the Gospel.  They started out singing secular but knew that singing God's praises would fulfill them and take them higher.  BIU loves young people and you can feel that contemporary flava that their music offers, and you will be dancing to the blessed beats on this new project.

Clap your hands to the song, "Holy Ghost Party".  It's a head-bobbing tune about giving God radical praise and I don't see nothing wrong with this party ya'll. 

Snap your fingers to the cut, "All God's Children", a traditional song that displays their harmony and tight vocals that is straight out of a down-home church that has everybody singing God's song...even Momma. 

I like the upbeat cut, "There Is A Lamb," it features a grooving sound that put you in mind of a classic Commissioned song.  These guys can really sing.  I love it and so will you.

Gospel Radio is about to explode with the single, "Stand", which is the title cut of the album and my favorite tune.  Just stand and don't give in.  Stand strong and hold on.  You gonna win...all you have to do is just STAND!  Bigups to BIU.

Shirley Caesar
After 40 Years…Still Sweeping Through The City

This is my friend and great Pastor, Shirley Caesar on her new CD as she celebrates 40 years of her ministry.  The First Lady of Gospel is back now with some of her top hits and the young and seasoned folks will love this latest offering from the legendary singer.  This woman of God and powerful preacher is a ball of fire and she travels all across the world to minister, but she is right back in Raleigh, NC every Sunday morning to be right there at her church to lead her flock at the Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church.  What a wonderful person she is and she loves the Lord.  You will love this project.  Put your hands together on the song, “Sweeping through the City” which is sweepin’ through the airwaves on radio right now and it features the voice of Joe Ligon of the Mighty Clouds of Joy.  They’re just havin’ good ole church up in here, can I get a witness?  Other classics to enjoy are, “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name”, everybody’s favorite, “Hold My Mule” and “Never”.  I like the cut, “Praise Your Way Through” featuring Raleigh’s own Patrika Worthan (Sang girl!). You will be praising God all throughout this live CD. Congrats Pastor and I wish you 40 more.

Dr. Bobby Jones
The Ambassador

This is a project that Dr. Bobby Jones has done to celebrate and thank God for his bless career.  We all know Dr. Jones from television on BET with his show Bobby Jones Gospel, the longest running program in cable TV history. Bobby Jones is on the radio with his weekly countdown show.   He’s been in film, theatre, books and CDs and still going strong yearly with his bi-annual Gospel Industry retreats.  Now here’s the new project, “The Ambassador”, a masterpiece of anointed music of giving thanks.  The grace of God is all over Bobby Jones and he is one of the most down-to earth men and professionals in the industry.  He has open the door to so many artists in Gospel and he has a list of Gospel greats on this CD.  This album is for everyone to enjoy with top-notch producers such as Victor and Cedric Caldwell, PAJAM (Paul “PDA” Allen, J Moss and Walter Kearney), Donald Lawrence and Teddy Riley.  The CD features the first single, “Can’t Nobody”, with Karen Clark Sheard, oh Bobby Jones is lifting up Jesus on this one.  There’s special guest Vanessa Bell Armstrong on the cut, “The Hands of the Lord”, J. Moss on the contemporary song, “Thank You Lord” and the mellow urban praise song, “Kings Of Kings” featuring Shirley Murdock.  Other guest includes Darwin Hobbs, 21:03, Duranice Pace, Cliff Jones from the 7 Souls Of Soul and of course the Nashville Super Choir.  You will indeed enjoy this project and I applaud Dr. Jones on all that he has done for Gospel Music…he is The Ambassador.

Beverly Crawford
LIVE from Los Angeles

This is one of the hottest female vocalist in the industry today.  She has a powerful voice and one of the sweetest spirits that I have ever known.  I love Beverly Crawford and her husband Todd, who have been great friends of mine for a long time.  Crawford has energy like no other and as she ministers with a high performance you will be ushered into the presence of Almighty God.  Now signed with JDI Records and a hot new CD entitled, “Live from Los Angeles”, you can hear the live anointing through your speakers. This woman of God can deliver such a strong presentation and you will be blessed by her powerful deliveries of her song praise.  Get on up and praise the Lord on the “Lion Of Judah”, an upbeat Praise at the beginning of this hot CD.  Next is the down home ole school cut that radio is blowing up across the country, “He’s Done Enough”.  This head-swayin’ sing-a-long song is a song that let’s us know that if the Lord never does anything else for us …he’s done enough. We are talking about Jesus and I know that’s right.  What a powerful song…let it bless ya!  Check out other songs like the funky jam, “God Has Been Good to Me” featuring guest artist, Ricky Dillard.  You can do your dip on this one.  I like the mellow inspirational cut, “We Need to Hear a Word” featuring Edwin Hawkins, it’s a very nice song for these times, that’s why we’re praying to you, oh I love it.  Put your hands together on the cut, “Victory Comes” and put your hands on this new project and get your praise on, get it today.

Trin-i-tee 5:7
T57

Now listen here, the ladies are back and they are better than ever.  This group has appeared on my Gospel television video show more than any other artists in the industry right now and I am so proud to call them my friends.  It’s Trin-i-tee 5:7.  They are coming back strong with a brand new project entitled, “T57”.  I love entire CD and it’s something on here for everybody.  You will like the urban hip hop, R&B Gospel flava on it and my girls Adrian, Angel and Chenelle are on another level.  This time they are under the production team of Mathew Knowles out of Houston, Texas.  Other Producers on the project are Solange Knowles, the Bama Boyz and Walter Milsap.  Milsap did a hot song for the ladies entitled, “Beautiful Girl”, I love that song of praise. He also produced the very hot New Orleans’ feel marchin’ band tune, “Listen”.  That jam is all over radio and it’s on my Gospel Video show.  HOT & Sizzling!! This album is filled with 12 awesome cuts.  Check out “Like U”, it has a powerful Richard Smallwood “I Love The Lord” sample on it written by Solange Knowles.  The ladies remade a nice urban inspiration tune that R. Kelly made famous called, “U Saved Me”.  They did a great job on that one. I like the cuts, “I Want To Go Back”, “Love” and the slamming jam, “God’s Triangle”.  Lastly please give a listen to the classic remake of the tune, “My Soul Is Anchored”, made famous by Douglas Miller and it’s perfect for T57 for where they are right now.  You will love this CD…now LISTEN here! LOL!

The Canton Spirituals
Driven

If you are ready for some good ole foot stompin’, hand clappin’ and holy-ghost good time Gospel then you have got to get the brand new CD from the Canton Spirituals.  Well, it’s a whole new Cantons, with a new look, new members and a new outlook on Jesus.  Still up front on lead is Deacon Harvey Watkins, Jr. and the same anointed Quartet sound is there but these gentlemen are driving a fresh sound to the ages and so will have, “Driven”.  This is a hot project and I had the pleasure to see the Cantons perform some of their new tracks at the GMWA and they are going blow your mind.  No Quartet suits for this new generation group they are sporting white linen shirts, blue jeans and tennis shoes.  It’s not in the clothes no how, they have an anointing within and just go ahead and have church on the radio smash, “I Recommend Jesus”.  It’s pure Gospel and Jesus is able and he give you whatever you need…ah I love it.   Now put your hands on this, the upbeat tune, “That Man”, a hot traditional cut that talks about Jesus, that man from Galilee.  Do you know him?  Oh yes I know him and you will be driven to have a good ole time with this CD from the new Canton Spirituals!

Isaiah D. Thomas & Elements of Praise
The Greatest

This is brand new music from my friend Isaiah D. Thomas.  He is veteran in the business and an awesome songwriter and producer.  He is also a great musician and vocalist.  He’s leading the titled track on his latest album, “The Greatest”.  I simply love it!  It’s a powerful song that lifts the spirit and will have you singing and hummmin’ along, “Jesus!”  This is a great CD that features Thomas and his group, Elements of Praise from Maryland.  Put up your hands and praise right along with every track.  Clap your hands on the song, “Said He Would Be with Me”, featuring Bishop Michael V. Kelsey, it’s a down home good one. Ya’ll don’t know nothing about that.  The song “He’s Able” slows things down with the vocal talents of Thomas that will bless you.  Check out the other standout selection like, “God All By Yourself”, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” and another one of my favorites, “Focus On You”.  Congrats to this two-time Stellar Award winner.  Thomas is giving his all on this project, which we all should give to our Master…The Greatest!

Bishop Leonard Scott
Be Lifted Up

This is a powerful uplifting CD and you will be singing God’s Praises.  “We Lift You!  That’ the chant and shout out to God as this project it’s stated.  To reach the masses is what Tyscot Records is all about.  Bishop Leonard Scott is the owner of this company and he is a might man of God.  Dr. Scott is a great speaker, Bishop, preacher, educator, dentist, singer, songwriter, pastor and father.  I had a chance to fellowship with him and his wife and they are down-to-earth people.  They are praisers and he is on fire for Christ.  Get ready for a power-packed worship experience and be ready to lift up Jesus.  The titled cut is a tremendous praise song and you will be dancing with joy on the song, “Be Lifted Up”.  It will ring in your head and you will still be lifting up after it’s gone off.  Bishop Scott mellows things out with a smooth tune entitled, “Bless The Lord O My Soul”.  I love the background vocals…nice.  Rock to the reggae flavored tune, “This Song I Sing”.  Then put your hands together on the slamming groove cut of “Mighty God”, it’s a upbeat jam that has Bishop Scott giving all the praise on this one. It’s the radio single and I’m airing the video…Go Bishop Go!  May Christ Be Lifted Up on this one and look for it to bless a nation.

Myron Williams
Made To Worship

This is the first solo project from this awesome man of God.  Myron Williams is a pure worship leader with talents that will bless the body of Christ for a long time to come.  Williams is a top notch producer who has worked with Juanita Bynum and he has great vocals to carry his own CD.  Min. Bynum presents this project to the world and you will be blessed by this pure ministry of great songs.  The title cut, “Made To Worship” is a great worship song.  This new project has already debuted on the Billboard charts in the top 10.  Wheww, way to come out the box!  This Fort Worth, TX native is a powerful Minister of music, he was appointed President of Flow Records where he also produced the acclaimed CD by Juanita Bynum, "Piece of my Passion”; which sold over 500,000 copies in four months and it stayed on the charts forever.  Speaking of forever, forever does our King reign forever, turn it up on the praise jam, “King Of Kings”, it will bless ya.  Check out the slow song, “You Are My Destiny”, it will leave you loving God more.  Other songs that will minister to you are, “I Just Want You”, “I Don’t Mind Waiting’ and my favorite, “Draw Me”, that will have you out on the floor then getting up chasing God and running after him.  It’s a great song that at first wasn’t even suppose to be recorded…look at God! The CD is called, “Made To Worship!”  We were made to worship him indeed.

Julius Petty
Thank You

This is a great songwriter that has come to the scene to bless the masses and he is doing just that.  Petty is a talented brother that ministers to the youth and he has this new album entitled, “Thank You”.  He is a great performer and has been all over the country promoting his project.  He came by my way to appear on my television program and I told him how I like how he is going to the people through the grassroots of the way it should be.  A lot of artists need to take notice of that.  Check out the vocal talents of Julius Petty on his favorite cut, “Make a Way”.  I like the groovin’ cut, “Grateful” it has that R&B feel to it.  The hot radio single and video jam that I am spinning is the hotness cut, “Move”, which will make you move…for the Lord no doubt.  Bigups to ya J.P. and I say, “Thank You”, sir for this anointed piece of music.

MCBC Mass Choir
No Other Name

This is the first live recording of the church choir from Lanham, MD.  It’s the anointed sounds of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Mass Choir with their new CD entitled, “No Other Name”.  This is true church and you will feel better after listening to this project.  The Project is produced by Minister of Music, Marvis Moore and Music Director, Michael Hill.  The CD also features guest appearance from artist, Carlton Burgess.  The project is filled with 13 tracks and I love the way they kick things off with the hand-clappin’ cut, “I Must Keep Lifting Him Up”, you will feel better praising him on this one.  You will keep lifting him up!  Next is the mellow tune, “It Was You”, a powerful song about how God will supply.  Also check out the cuts, “Trust God”, “Psalm 100” and the title cut, “No Other Name”, which is my favorite and it features guest artist Angela Patterson.  There is no other name like my Jesus.  Also remember the name of the MCBC Mass Choir.