Reviews 2014: Music

In this second part of #Reviews2014, let's talk Gospel music as it was or has been in my world and yours this year.

2014 was a unique year that came with it's own number of surprises, awesomeness and sorrow as far as music is concerned. We happened to see artists improve in their creativity and artistry, some fall back into their comfort zones, and we lost some who went to be with the Lord. This, in summary, made it a year full of mixed feelings and expectations.

Here's a review of the few music albums I listened to this year as listed per genre:-

Folk/Pop
1. Francesca Battistelli - If We're Honest She had promised us something fresh in her interview on NRT; and she did deliver. Her pop sound improved from the days of that grand single Beautiful Beautiful. Yes, Francesca's sound on this album is way above average.
2. Brooke Fraser - Brutal Romantic
Brooke Fraser never disappoints. She somehow adopted a more electronic sound on this one though.
3. Trembling Hearts - Trembling Hearts
A new band with a fresh sound. Great and unique music.
4. Young Oceans - Advent
I stumbled upon these guys a few months ago. Well, the I hear they have a new album out. They're worthy checking out.

Hip Hop & Rap
1. Lecrae - Anomaly
If you don't know Lecrae released an album this year, I think you're dead. Yes, you should be dead. It is well spoken off, it topped Bill Board charts for several consecutive days, and it has received various nominations. This album has blown us away. It is the present-time anomaly in Christian rap and Gospel music at large.
2. Tedashii - Below Paradise
I was introduced to this album by an early release of that song Dark Days, Darker Nights featuring Britt Nicole. I love Britt, so I got hooked. Tedashii's sound on this one isn't disappointing at all.
3. Da' T.R.U.T.H. - Heartbeat
This was like a debut for Mixed Bag Records - T.R.U.T.H.'s own new record label. That song Mixed Bag has more plays on my GMMP than any other...
4. FLAME - Jesus Or Nothing
FLAME reminds me of someone I don't want to mention here because it would be irrelevant if I did so... Moreso, he has improved both musically and lyrically. This album is worthy checking out.
5. Andy Mineo - Neverland
After successful previous projects, Andy now has a solid place in the hearts of Christian/Gospel rap lovers... And the 116 flag is flying higher. The version I got of this album was an EP. It is worthy a listening.
6. Trip Lee - Rise
Trip Lee is that guy who still amazes me considering that he has health challenges. His story makes you think, "You mean he can do all this in his condition? Why can't I?" This means Lee is uncommonly dedicated to his Christian calling; thus the result is such a wonderful album.
7. Natalie Lauren - Redeyes And Blueskies EP
8. Derek Minor - Minorville (released last year but worthy noting.) Oh, he was formerly known as PRo..
9. KB - 100 EP

Praise & Worship
1. Donnie McClurkin - Duets
2. Paul Baloche - Live
3. Paul Wilbur - The Ultimate Collection
The Messianic sound is still there and rising.
4. William Murphy III - God Chaser (released last year but worthy noting). By the way, you should check him out if you love William McDowell and/or VaShawn Mitchell. He's a great worshiper.

Contemporary Praise & Worship
1. Kari Jobe - Majestic
Kari Jobe now has a permanent place in the hearts of contemporary worship lovers. This album is mind-blowing. By the way, she features her fiance on that song Holy Spirit.
2. Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave Have you listened to the vocals, arrangement and the message in that theme song You Make Me Brave? Oh well, it speaks for itself.
3. Michael W Smith - Sovereign
He's getting old but his music ain't. That's what you should know.
4. Chris Tomlin - Waterfall (single)
5. Passion - Take It All
6. Hillsong Worship - No Other Name
I reviewed and shared this album on this blog. You should check it out.
7. Hillsong United - The White Album
This is a remixes album.
8. Phil Wickham - The Ascension
9. Jesus Culture - Unstoppable Love
As beautiful as usual.
10. All Sons And Daughters - All Sons And Daughters
11. BJ Putnam - More And More (released last year but worthy noting). Also, the guy has an Israel Houghton-like sound.
12. Matt Redman - Your Grace Finds Me (released last year but worthy taking note of. )

K-Love Kind-of Music/Rock
1. Casting Crowns - Thrive
I shared a song from this album sometimes back on this blog. It is an average album anyway.
2. Plus One hit us back with the surprise single My All .
3. David Crowder - Neon Steeple
This is a solo project by Crowder himself.
4. Thousand Foot Krutch - Oxygen Inhale
Hah, no wonder I'm calling this genre "K-Love". Most people are ranting that most artists have gone "K-Lovey" and are lacking originality. Oh well, these guys are some of them... anyway, what's wrong with that?
5. Anthem Lights - One Direction Mash-up & You Have My Heart
2 albums from a boys band in one year!! Yo ladies, you know what to do... :-)
6. Kutless - Glory
I had somehow ignored Kutless for sometime but it seems they brought me back with this one.
7. Jars Of Clay - Reckless Forgiver (Remixes)
8. Kyle Cooke - Irrefutable Silence
9. Watch out for an album released this year by Tenth Avenue North too.

R&B and Urban
1. Erica Campbell - Help
She went solo. Mary Mary is still alive, but Erica just wanted to try it out on her own. This album proves that she has it in her.
2. J Moss - Grown Folks Gospel
He decided to do something different. It is still the same J but with a "grown folks" sound. Yeah.
3. Deitrick Haddon & LXW - League of Extraordinary Worshipers
Deitrick has had his own ups and downs with both personal life and ministry. This album is not bad if you're looking for Gospel music with an urban sound.
4. Isaac Carree - Reset (released last year but worthy noting)

A Capella
Westside Praise - God Is For Us

Country
Reverend Robert Wilkins - Prodigal Son

Dancehall
Papa San - One Blood
Various collaborations with other artists on this album make it worthy your ears.

Dance-pop
1. Jamie Grace - Ready To Fly
I love her. Oh well, it maybe because I could dream of dropping her an email or two sometime back. She has grown a lot from those debut days when she featured the great tobyMac in her album.
2. Beckah Shae - Champion
I bet Beckah now joins the league of the likes of Mandisa. (Oh, that's my judgment anyway.)

Jazz
I happened to get one really awesome Gospel jazz album: Evolve by Jackiem Joyner. This album is like a breeze: making me love jazz in such a special way...

Instrumentals
Jim Brickman - Blessings
No saxophones or strings on this one. Good but a little flat.

Various Mixes and Collections
1. WoW Gospel 2014 - a great collection of 39 songs...
2. Songs 4 Worship, Vol. 24 (Worship Classics)
3. All About Worship Collective, Vol. 8 & 9

Unique Events
1. Eunice Njeri launched her album "Nimekubali" at CITAM Valley Road. (It now seems that CITAM Valley Road is the place to launch great stuff... Oh well...)
2. Bahati launched his album "Barua Za Bahati".
3. Joyous Celebration were in town this December. Rumors going round is that it is impossible for the event to hit our hallowed River Road (street-wise and webosphere-wise) because they prohibited live recording. Okay. (No comments there.)
4. Kanjii launched his album "Rauka"

Note: Although some local Gospel artists are launching albums, it still seems hard for most Gospel artists to do so and they still are obsessed with launching singles. This is not so promising as far as mentoring new artists is concerned...

Extraordinary stuff and surprise local collaborations
1. Pitson did "Lingala Ya Yesu" and Allan Aaron came up with "System Ya Kigoolinga" as the remix. Not bad.
2. For the first time ever, both Kenyan female and male artists came together to do Christmas carols. That was extraordinary indeed.
3. Chuchu and Guardian Angel featured in Adonai
4. Jimmy Gait and DJ Mo featured in Huratiti Remix

New local artists that did amazing stuff this year
1. Bern - this guy has style and he has a voice. He's gonna go places.
2. Evelyn Wanjiru - I think she was what Mercylinah Wambugu was to our contemporary Swahili worship last year. Her music is cool, and her voice is enticing. She too is going places.
3. Guardian Angel - If I were to vote in who is the best male vocalist in this nation, I guess he'll battle for the first spot with Bern. I'm always wondering why he's not getting recognition in mainstream media while his work is both exemplary and exceptional... but I also think time will tell...
4. Elsie - she reminds you of Mercy Masika. Yes, although I haven't researched on who she truly is, she is really good.
5. Zoe - she collaborated with one Rebecca Soki Kalwenze (you should remember her from a song she did with one Lady Bee and Eunice Njeri) to bring us one great Zuk song: Salama. Great stuff.

Local Artists that made a grand comeback
1. Esther Wahome - she made a comeback this year doing Zuk songs. I think she has improved.
2. Chuchu - Yeeeas! She's beautiful and she gat a voice. She came back with a bang and ensured that every song she featured in was a hit. I'm looking forward to greater stuff from her.

2014 is a year to remember for...
1. Bahati - won the best male artist, Groove Awards. Songs like Mama and Barua have become anthems of some sort in most parts of this country.
2. Lecrae - topped Bill Board charts for days in a raw.
3. Pitson - the dude has literally soared. That Lingala Ya Yesu song killed it. But this dude didn't join this game yesterday, naah. He's been here for a while and I guess this was the year of his favor...

African songs that hit me hard this year
1. Tembalami (Bayete Remix) - a high tempo Zimbabwean song by one Zowie Mutangadura.
2. Yabo - although released two years ago, it really hit me hard this year.
3. Sing To You (New Song) - a song by one Tybe. A beautiful chiq with a great voice and a compelling message.

The following went to be with the Lord (R.I.P):-
1. Kaberere
2. Bishop Ben Bahati
3. Kefee (Nigerian)

4. John Nyika (audio producer)

That's all for today, guys. Have a musical 2015!! 〽

Bonface Morris.