The urban gospel community received a blessing on Friday – May 5th – when veteran producer and artist Kirk Franklin dropped a new single, All Things. The inspirational tune came with an official video that is as beautiful as the song itself.
Click here or on the image above to check out the visuals, and remember to like, comment and share.
Originally a native of the Denham Town district in West Kingston, Sister Carol – Jamaica’s Black Cinderella – is still using her music to teach, strengthen and inspire! Her most recent release is Nubian Wombman, a strong reggae song that was strategically shared in Women’s History Month, 2023. This was done because as the name implies, Nubian Wombman is a tribute to black women at home (Africa) and in the diaspora.
On the record, Sister Carol was intentional in highlighting the black woman’s beauty, acumen, exuberance, and relevance, as well as several other noteworthy attributes inherent in all melanated African women. She also used the biological version of woman in the title – wombman – which signifies her commitment to the Rastafarian faith and way of life.
“The Nubian Woman can never, ever be in danger as our brother Bob Marley said, ‘you running and you running away but you can’t run away from yourself’. The gift of Melanin is one of our greatest gifts from The Most High and we can never deny. To know thyself is an important part of the journey. Once you bolster that self-love, self-pride and self-esteem, then you can’t lose impact easily.” The preceding is Sister Carol‘s impassioned sentiment regarding the Nubian Wombman.
The song, produced by the Black Cinderella herself, was officially released on March 24th. It is available for sale on all digital platforms worldwide, courtesy of Tad’s Record Inc.
The Wolf Trap is closing out the spring with a massive two-day concert that stars reggae royalty Zigga Marley, the big easy’s best musicians, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, as well as blues legend Mavis Staples.
The dates are June 17th and 18th, at the Filene Center – 1551 Trap Road – in Vienna, Virginia. Tickets start at $49 USD. Get ticket and additional info here.
One of Jamaica’s most soulful singers – Anthony Cruz – has emerged with a mellifluous eighteen-track album, titled Under The Covers. The self produced project was released this past Friday, April 28th, via Tad’s Record, the imprint for which it was exclusively created.
Cruz, who is always a leader in his field, has led again by doing something quite unique. He has done a full-length reggae-remix studio album that includes favorites like: R. Kelly‘s Step In The Name Of Love, Alexander O’Neal’s If You Were Here Tonight, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway‘s The Closer I Get to You, as well as several other chart-topping grown folk music.
Musicians and producers that contributed to this masterpiece are Donald ‘Danny Bassie’ Dennis, drummer Kirk Bennett, keyboardist Paul ‘Wrong Move’ Crossdale, Bobby Digital, King Jammy, Donovan Germain, Chris Knight, Tad Dawkins Jr., and Mark HoSang.
In a recent interview, an excited Anthony Cruz made the following prediction about the LP: “I know it’s going to create history, because it’s never been done before — a full cover version album. Jamaicans love it, people love it across the world, they love when you sing over their songs in Reggae, ‘cause Reggae have the power.”
Under The Covers is now available on Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, and all other streaming platforms. It is being distributed by Tad’s Record Inc.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “UNDER THE COVERS”
Back to Basics Entertainment and BlackStar will present Shine – The Art of Music on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th. So far they have announced performances by the Engine Room king Olatunji Yearwood, and the youngest Soca Monarch Voice, along with his band Top 5.
Shine – The Art of Music will take place at Coney Art Walls on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Running time is 2 to 9pm. Click here for tickets.
With all the turmoil happening in the world right now, everyone – including elected leaders – are genuinley seeking answers and directions. That is why the upcoming concert, dubbed The Altar, is so timely. It’s set for June 30th at the OVO Arena in Wembley, England.
Operating under the theme: ‘rekindling the passion of worship,’ the organizers have tapped some of the strongest worship leaders to perform. Confirmed are: Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach, Dunsin Oyekan, Lucy Grimble, Chevelle Franklyn, Arinola, Calledout Music and Tim Hughes.
Two top-tier gospel performers – Lecrae and Tasha Cobbs Leonard – have collaborated on a new record called Your Power. The hip-hop / R&B fused track was officially released on Friday, May 5th via Lecrae‘s Reach Records.
Your Power is an uptempo, lyrics laced song that is already buzzing in gospel circles. Click here to stream and/or download it from your preferred music platform.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 