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"Singing the Old Time Way" (03/08/2005) Gospel Patterson, G.E., Bishop, Podium RecordsPersonnel: Walter Dunlap, Alvin Speight (guitar); Derrick Jackson (organ); Barbara Jackson, Mance Aytchan (keyboards); Sylvester Robinson (bass guitar); Martez Taylor, Jackie Weems (drums).

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"Christmas" (11/01/2001) Gospel Franklin, Kirk, Gospocentric RecordsPersonnel: Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann, Dalon Collins, Chris Simpson, Sheila Brice, Stephanie Glynn, David Mann, De Clinkscale, Jeanette Johnson, Carrie Davis-Young, Kesha Grandy (vocals); Ray Fuller (acoustic & electric guitar); Ricky Grundy (strings); Donald Hayes (saxophone); Bobby Sparks (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Buster & Shavoni (synthesizer, percussion); Jerome Allen (bass); Erik Morgan (drums). Contemporary gospel star Kirk Franklin made one of his most accessible and commercially successful records with CHRISTMAS. From Franklin's heartfelt spoken-word intro to the breezy, smoothed-out version of "O Come All Ye Faithful," CHRISTMAS blends devout Christian messages and the power of traditional gospel with contemporary R&B and hip-hop flavors. It's no coincidence that Franklin's 17-piece chorus is called "the Family," because the entire record is suffused with the warmth and intimacy of a family-oriented holiday event. In addition to energized versions of such treasured Christmas songs as "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "Silent Night," Franklin & the Family contribute several non-traditional songs that explore the depth of God's love and the Christian basis for the holiday. "Now Behold the Lamb," for example, is a ballad that testifies to the truth of salvation, and features stirring ensemble singing, strong solo vocalists, and plenty of enthusiastic exclamations. The deeply funky "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season" kicks things up a notch with its bumping rhythm and infectious chorus. With its mix of old and new musical styles and its impassioned performances, CHRISTMAS is sure to please those looking for a meaningful and musically fresh holiday album.

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"Greatest Hits Plus" (05/24/2005) Gospel Williams Brothers (Gospel), MalacoWilliams Brothers (Gospel): Stan Jones (various instruments, drums, background vocals); Dwight Gordon, Eddie "Spanky" Alford (guitar); Timothy "Tee" Hudson (strings, piano); Carlous Robinson (Fender Rhodes piano); Terrell "Midge" Gatlin (bass instrument, background vocals); Brian Jones (bass instrument).

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"Musica Cristiana Tropical Vol. 1" (2005) Gospel Various Artists, Vida

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"A Piece of My Passion" (01/17/2006) Gospel Bynum, Juanita, Flow RecordsPersonnel include: Juanita Bynum (vocals); Myron Williams (vocals); Dave Cleveland (guitar); Craig Neilsen (bass guitar); Scott Williamson (drums). Gospel vocalist Juanita Bynum is committed to praising the Lord, and her unrestrained energy comes through wonderfully on 2006's A PIECE OF MY PASSION. Although she adds the occasional unusual flourish to her music (see the touches of Vocoder on the opening track, "Break Forth"), Bynum expresses her faith with fairly straightforward, though formidable, gospel fervor. And, naturally, the inclusion of a bold backing choir perfectly enhances tracks like "You Are Great," "Jesus, What a Wonder," and other celebratory songs.

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"An Invitation to Worship" (11/29/2005) Gospel Cage, Byron, Gospocentric RecordsPersonnel include: Byron Cage (vocals); Darryl Dixon (guitar); Carolyn Moss (piano); Terrance Palmer (bass guitar); Dana Davis (drums). Like a lot of contemporary gospel, Byron Cage's brand borrows heavily from urban contemporary, R&B, and pop, while still maintaining a firm footing in traditional gospel. The charged-up opener "I Will Bless the Lord" announces that AN INVITATION TO WORSHIP will be positive, inspiring, and full of the raise-the-roof energy associated with Baptist services and tent revivals. Yet Cage's musical world is far removed from that of some steeple in the sticks. With a muscular electric band, the full complement of strings and horns, and a gargantuan choir, Cage's sound is as slick, powerful, and polished as it is raw and rootsy. Hard grooves alternate with sweeping devotional ballads, and Cage's role as lead singer, songwriter, and arranger (he is responsible for the choral charts) indicates that this is his project through and through. Additionally, the fact that AN INVITATION is recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Georgia ensures that it's shot through with spontaneous performance energy, which gives an edge to its messages of praise.

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"I Speak Life" (10/12/2004) Gospel Lawrence, Donald, VerityPersonnel: Donald Lawrence (vocals); DJ Rogers, Donnie McClurkin, Faith Evans, Hezekiah Walker, Lalah Hathaway, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Murrills, Carl Thomas (vocals); Richard Smallwood (piano); Ramsey Lewis (keyboards). Recording information: Hinge Studios, Chicago, Illinois; Eclectic, Nashville, TN. Donald Lawrence opens I SPEAK LIFE, his first record without the Tri-City Singers, with "Healed," a song where he delivers, in the most welcoming and relaxed tone, a universal sermon of finding recovery in a return to salvation. In the middle of the song, Lawrence unguardedly remarks "I like this part." It's that sense of openness that permeates the album, embodying the joy that makes Lawrence's gospel so markedly appealing. This particular sense of joy has attracted, in addition to a legion of fans, many leading lights from both the inspirational and secular musical worlds to collaborate with Lawrence here. Like-minded preacher Hezekiah Walker joins Lawrence on a self-proclaimed "simple song," the funk-infused "You Covered Me." Faith Evans provides most of the vocals on the light R&B ballad "Say a Prayer," and Carl Thomas offers a more rousing presence on the hip-hop-flecked "Angels." Elsewhere, jazz notable Ramsey Lewis and R&B singer Lalah Hathaway present a lush interpretation of the skillful Lawrence composition "Don't Forget to Remember." Through it all, Lawrence pops in with observations and gospel, always earnest, always passionate, always speaking with the voice of a soul constantly seeking, yet ever at rest.

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"Top 25 Praise & Worship Songs 2007" (06/06/2006) Gospel Various Artists, Maranatha Music

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"Top 25 Praise Songs 2005 Edition" (08/24/2004) Gospel Various Artists, Maranatha Music

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"Still Here" (10/21/2003) Gospel Williams Brothers (Gospel), Blackberry RecordsRecorded live in Morton, Mississippi on April 5 & 6, 2003. Williams Brothers (Gospel): Doug Williams , Henry Green, Melvin Williams (vocals); Billy Voss (organ, background vocals); Timothy Hudson (keyboards); Terrell "Midge" Gatlin (bass guitar, background vocals); Stan Jones (drums). "Man looks at the outside, God looks at the heart, and he wants you to come as you are." With that chorus as an all-embracing message, the legendary Williams Brothers step upon a stage in their home state of Mississippi and open their 2003 live record, STILL HERE. It's a sentiment which exemplifies the trio of Melvin and Doug Williams and their cousin Henry Green, who were originally gathered together as children in the late 1950s by the brothers' father, Leonard "Pops" Williams. Their sweet, comforting, soulful sound was patterned after the Dixie Hummingbirds, and five decades later, it still harbors echoes of that revered group. However, the Williams Brothers' smooth groove on STILL HERE is timeless. When the threesome beckons the faithful on classics "Walk with Me" and "I Don't Know Why," the warmth is palpable and unquestionable. The trio has been trading vocals for so long, the interplay and harmony is completely natural. Doug Williams's original tunes, including the title track and the elated "Heaven Is Waiting," abound with a spirit of joy and grace. STILL HERE showcases gospel legends still at the top of their game.

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