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Two Thousand Seven was a good year for independent labels and artists. The recordings
from independents are certainly in the same league as those from the major
labels. No longer are the artists dependent solely on the ‘major’
labels to have a recording. Technology has certainly made it easier,
and within price range, for any artist to put together a great recording.
It would not surprise us to see less, and less artist wanting to be signed
by a major labels. After all, it is always good to have and control
your own.
As to the independent CDs we reviewed in 2007, we began the year with a review of
The Voices of Clouds’
The Voices of Clouds Recorded Live At Progressive Church of God In
Christ In Rochester, NY. There are ten (10) tracks on this
recording. Most of the songs have been previously recorded by the group.
However, this is the first time you will be able to experience the
recordings in a “live” setting. All of the songs are worthy of your
attention. Although this group is based in Rochester, New York, you
immediately recognize the influence of the South on their musical style and
sound.
In February we reviewed the
Junior Angels
of Newton, Mississippi. Their CD is titled Blessed. This
is an exciting new group that has developed a style that is unique but still
traditional gospel music. Their music incorporates the best of musical
arrangements from secular groups of the 70’s and traditional gospel music,
with just a hint of contemporary peppered thought out some of the songs.
The group members’ love for God and sincerity in singing praises to our Lord
and Savior are definitely revealed in this project. Often a group will
have one good lead singer and others that will from time to time sing lead
on one song on a project. However, according to the liner notes, the
Junior Angels have four exceptional lead singers. The ten tracks on
this project will certainly get your feet moving.
In March we reviewed the new CD by
Jay Caldwell and The Gospel
Ambassadors titled
Live – Two Men Following Me. There are sixteen (16) songs
on this live recording. The recording took place at The Baby Grand Theater,
Wilmington, Delaware. This CD is full of nothing but traditional gospel
quartet music. You will recognize that many of the songs on this
project have been previously recorded by the group. So, you get to hear many
of the favorite songs from this group in a live setting.
In April we introduced you to
Rev. Stanley Amos & The Joyful
Heirs. Their
most recent recording is Let Jesus Fix It. The group is
from Union, Mississippi. The group may not be known by many outside of the
state of Mississippi. So what’s so great about this CD and why choose
it for a review? While, the answer is quite simple, fans of gospel quartet
music today want substance in their songs. People want songs that minister
to the serious problems they are experiencing and this CD definitely
ministers to you. The CD is a mix of live and studio recordings. The
songs are all rooted in traditional quartet gospel music. The title track, "Let
Jesus Fix It," is presented in both live and studio versions.
May gave us the opportunity to review the CD by the group
Friendz.
Their 2007 recording is titled Where There’s A Will There’s A Way.
This is their freshman recording. But these guys are seasoned
professionals. As you listen to their new CD, you will conclude
that it definately delivers the WORD in song. Friendz is comprised of
four exceptionally talented young men, all with deep gospel music roots.
Therefore, it is not surprising that their first recording would be one of
the best independent released CD of the year.
For the month of June we presented
Youngblood & The New Gospel
Seekers.
Their new release is LIVE In Hartsville, South Carolina.
There is something on this project for anyone interested in good gospel
music. There are 10 songs on this Live recording. This group has
the talent and the professionalism to become a household name.
Youngblood’s group was organized in 1961. Therefore, it is no surprise
that this group is well seasoned and ready to take the gospel music industry
by storm. They have recorded three (3) projects with their current
label. The new recording is probably their best.
For the month of July we spotlighted
Rev. R. L. Bush & The New
Swansilvertones.
Although, this is the group’s first CD, members of the group are not new to
the gospel music industry. Therefore, the group presents a CD that truly
sounds like it is from seasoned singers. The name of the CD is
Live & Up Close. There are thirteen (13) songs on this
live recording. This CD is full of nothing but traditional gospel quartet
music.
For August we reviewed the new release by
Rev. Jerial Dingle & New Vision.
The project is titled Living A Dream.
Rev. Dingle
is from Jordan, South Carolina. So, it should not be a surprise that his
(and the group’s) style is solid traditional gospel quartet. The group
was organized in January 2006. Rev. Dingle is the lead singer,
producer and arranger for the group. He also wrote most of the songs
on the CD. For those that he did not write the words to, he wrote the
arrangement. This is a family group and the other members are Rev.
Dingle’s father, Troy Dingle, Sr., sister, Eloise Marie Dingle, and brothers
Troy Dingle, Sr. and Ronnie Dingle. Most of the members of the group sing
lead on at least one song, with Rev. Dingle doing lead duties on all of the
songs.
In September we introduced to you the group
Ministree.
Their 2007 recording is titled His Ministree. The CD is
a mixture of quartet and contemporary styles of gospel music. Once you
listen to the entire CD, we think you will agree that the CD tilts heavy
toward the gospel quartet genre. As you listen to this CD you
will readily realize that these ladies have taken the best from gospel
quartet groups (males and females) of the past, and many of today's leading
gospel singers and merge them to deliver a fresh and unique style of their
own. There are no hard hitting drive songs on this project. There are
thirteen (13) songs that will minister to you.
For the month of October we reviewed
David Harrison and The Bells of
Joy's I Can't
Give Up Now. This is their third recording. Their first full
project (titled Breakthrough) was released in 2000. In 2004 they released
the CD titled Do You Really Love The Lord. These guys are seasoned
musicians and singers. For the quartet enthusiast, when you hear the
name Bells of Joy
you probably think of the group from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
David Harrison and The Bell
of Joys are in fact
an offshoot from The Sensational Bells of Joy of Baltimore, Maryland.
The group consists of Mr. Harrison, Tracy Merritte, Sr. and David Merritte.
Tracy and David sing background, play several instruments an actually sing
lead on several songs. The guys share lead duties on most of the songs
and they wrote most of the songs on this project. Spanky Williams
joined the guys on two of the tracks. In addition, the project is
produced by Carl (Benny Hill) Britt and Milton Johnson.
In November we took a look at
Connection’s
sophomore project,
Victory Live.
The new release is a Live recording. The recoding took place at New
Light Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. And, from time to time you can
actually hear the audience's participation in the recording. There are
no hard drive songs on this CD. The closest song to a drive track is “I’ve
Been Delivered.“ The guys could have easily titled the CD
Praise and Worship. For, the selections are songs of thanks, of
acknowledging God, and just lifting their voices in praise to God.
Once you listen to this CD, you will realize that Connection has a style all
their own. Yes, they are a quartet gospel group. But, they are
not trying to sound like some other group. They have a refreshing and unique
style. More importantly, they minister to you.
We closed the year with
Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual
Seven Gospel Singers'
CHRISTMASTIME with Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual Seven Gospel
Singers. This is one of the few good gospel quartet CDs in the
marketplace.
It is also rooted “deep in the tradition of
gospel legends such as [the late]
Willie Neal Johnson”
and Paul
Beasley.
There are only seven songs on this CD. However, you will not regret
getting a copy of this CD.
It was indeed another great year for independents. We look with much
anticipation to 2008.
Below you will find Gloryland Gospel top 5 independent labels or artists
picks of 2007 and the top 15 independent groups to watch in 2008. This
list is in no way all inclusive, however if you're looking for the best of
the best you will definitely want to add these recordings to your music
collection. The order in which the projects are listed does not
necessarily represent their ranking. God Bless and we look forward to
an exciting 2008 for gospel quartet music.
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