By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Posted: January 5, 2008
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE a leap into a brand new year. But we can't just forget about the big hits from the year behind. 2007 blessed us with plenty of songs to rock, cry and rejoice to. And there were even a few songs that worked on our spiritual man and made us better. Without any unneccesary commentary or jib-jab chatter, we decided to fill in the blanks on what actually made the list of the very best gospel songs of 2007.
50. Coko
"I GET JOY"
from Grateful (Light)
You just can’t go wrong using a sample from the Earth, Wind and Fire collection. The cool grooves of “On Your Face” ring out through this updated urban groove. And with Coko’s distinctive voice on board, you pretty much think you’re listening to an SWV track.
49. The McClurkin Project
"WE PRAISE YOU"
from We Praise You (GospoCentric)
The McClurkin family pulls out one of the hottest urban praise-and-worship tracks of the year. And you can hear that McClurkin flavor exuding from the background harmonies and the engaging melody.
48. New Life Community Choir feat. John P. Kee
"RIGHT NOW PRAISE"
from Nothing But Worship (Verity)
Okay, it sounds almost like anything else Kee has put out, but it rocks and swings with just as much vigor and holy fun as “Strength” or “Jesus Is Real.” When the chorus hits, Kee’s powers are imminent.
47. Vanessa Bell Armstrong
"WATCH ME"
from Walking Miracle (EMI Gospel)
A jam like this is too hard to ignore. And to hear the legendary VBA thrust her stirring vocals on Rodney Jerkins’ club-driven hooks of this cut is almost paranormal. Yet in still, the young’ins can definitely relate to the vibe and the super-cute vocals of Armstrong.
46. Youthful Praise
"WE WORSHIP YOU"
from Exalted (Light/Evidence Gospel)
Thrusting pop disco into praise-and-worship works for the most part on this follow-up to YP’s “You Are So Awesome.” Frontboy JJ Hairston added worship leading are a neat addition.
45. 7 Sons of Soul
"PRAYIN' 4 YOU"
from Witness (Verity)
A slice of Southern soul and Al Green-ish guitars becomes the centerpiece to this rusty, country-tinged hit. It might be a bit too ol’ skool for the young brothas’ chops, but it was a sure winner on gospel radio.
44. Greg Roberts & Soulful Celebration
"JUST SAY THANK 'YA"
from Soulful Worship (SMG)
Oh, the beauty of clubbish contemporary gospel. A song like this proves that the East Coast choir sound still can rock a dance floor. Plus that vamp - filled with infectious modulations and catchy diction - ended up being one of the fiercest funk grooves ever recorded in modern gospel.
43. Hezekiah Walker & LFC
"FAITHFUL IS OUR GOD"
from 20/85 The Experience (Verity)
Who said ‘06's leftovers couldn’t satisfy taste buds in the ‘07? Pastor Walker did just that with this contagious sing-a-long anthem. The radio version was a neat surprise, since it included vocal overdubs from Walker on the previously-recorded track. Hearing him belt out such passionate ad-libs kicks devil butt.
42. Byron Cage
"WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT"
from The Proclamation: Live at the Apollo (GospoCentric)
Not really the follow-up we expected from Cage’s “I Will Bless The Lord,” but it surely had that PAJAM sound that we can’t seem to get enough of.
41. Fred Hammond
"L.O.U.D. L.O.U.D."
from Free To Worship (Verity)
No doubt the concept song of the year - but with a charging beat and George Michael/Wham electro hooks. He took an acronym like L.O.U.D. and feed us lyrics from heaven that featured the first letters on the beginning lines. How cool is that.
40. Georgia Mass Choir
"TELL IT"
from Tell It (Savoy/Malaco)
Bring on the choir processional, ‘cause this is something you expect to hear on First Sundays at the very beginning of service. Georgia Mass Choir returns to their element with this choir rocker.
39. Israel & New Breed
"SAY SO"
from A Deeper Level (Integrity Gospel)
Pop worship must be the stuff for real these days. Israel and Company pull off one of the cutest worship songs of the year - flowing in the reminiscent sounds of “Friend of God.” No, It's not strong gospel, but gospel lovers could relate.
38. Trin-i-tee 5:7
"LISTEN"
from T57 (Music World/Spirit Rising)
Dirty south hip-hop energy and hard rock juice gives Trin-i-tee 5:7's the makeover they were looking for. Doesn’t quite sound like anything else they’ve ever done, but it’s clearly crossover material.
37. Patti LaBelle feat. Mary Mary, Consequence and Kanye West
"ANYTHING"
from The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle (Umbrella/Bungalo)
Patti brings in hip-hop energies from superstar Kanye West and Mary Mary’s very churchy vocals on this beautiful urban delight. And what a lovable chorus - you can’t stop humming this bad boy.
36. Kirk Franklin
"IMAGINE ME"
from Hero (GospoCentic)
The bad boy of gospel (no pun intended) devotes his cool compositional skills to this luxurious, heartfelt ballad. And who cares if it was an ‘07 song - follow the charts, people. R&B and soul radio ate it up still.
35. Shirley Murdock
"I LOVE ME BETTER THAN THAT"
from SoulFood (Tyscot)
On this cut, Sister As We Lay returns to her best-remembered sound - sultry, sassy soul. But don’t get all antsy - it’s an encouraging, lift-me-upper for the sisters struggling with low self-esteem, but with a godly directive.
34. The Clark Sisters
"LIVIN'"
from Live - One Last Time (EMI Gospel)
The girls give us a taste of that disco/house energy they started up years ago with “You Brought The Sunshine.” This time around, cool horns, glossy rhythms and cooler lyrics (“I like livin’ this kind of life - I’m livin’ a blessed life”) lead the way.
33. Dave Hollister
"WHAT DO YOU DO"
from The Book of David: Vol. 1: The Transition (GospoCentric)
The R&B crooner with those gospel overtones blessed our hearts with this moving ballad. It has that irresistible Winans sound and that apologetic, repenting theme that just fits right on such a soul singer.
32. Tramaine Hawkins
"EXCELLENT LORD"
from I Never Lost My Praise (GospoCentric)
Whenever you cross churchy traditional gospel with Tramaine Hawkins, you are bound to get satisfying results. Well, this is what happened here. Another Love Alive event, except without a Love Alive package.
31. Kenny Lattimore & Chante Moore
"MAKE ME LIKE THE MOON"
from Uncovered/Covered (LaFace/Verity)
The modern day Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell teamed up with gospel producer Fred Hammond to give us this poetic slow jam. It really sounds like something they would have done before - which makes things neater.
30. Wilmington Chester Mass Choir
"IT'S NOT OVER...GOD IS IN CONTROL"
from It's Not Over (Emtro Gospel)
One of the epic bangers from one of the most respected choir institutions on American soil. Surprisingly, it’s not too street that it can’t be heard in most traditional churches.
29. Darlene McCoy
"I BELIEVE"
from Darlene McCoy (EMI Gospel)
Darkchild Gospel never ceases to amaze us. Newcomer Darlene McCoy shows off her amazing chops on this refreshing breezy-synth slice of urban pop. If only Britney Spears got to the track first.
28. Patti LaBelle
"WALK AROUND HEAVEN"
from The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle (Umbrella/Bungalo)
This James Cleveland classic is probably one of the most surprising and rewarding versions ever done. Soul sister Miss Patti is very passionate on the lyrics and the choral arrangement is modernly updated with interesting frills.
27. James Hall & Worship and Praise
"NOTHING SHALL SEPERATE ME"
from Live at Foxwoods (MusicBlend)
There’s nothing new under the sun. James Hall easily proves that on this revisit on one of Butch Heyward’s classics. Nikki Ross is on board and gives us what we were waiting for: less runs and more heartfelt emotional ministry.
26. Rev. Timothy Wright & the New York Fellowship Mass Choir
"YOU MUST COME IN AT THE DOOR"
from Jesus Jesus Jesus (KOCH/Jordan Entertainment Group)
Church music is definitely back in style. The Godfather of Gospel pulls out this Rev. Milton Biggham creation from the Georgia Mass Choir days and takes it straight to the Brooklyn sound. How superb.
25. Kirk Franklin
"DECLARATION (THIS IS IT!)"
from The Fight Of My Life (GospoCentric)
The sampling king of gospel (cough) pulls out another head-bopping jam with this cut - using Kenny Loggins’s “This Is It.” May pale when compared to “Looking For You,” but it’s right up Franklin’s alley.
24. City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir
"NOT ABOUT US"
from Welcome To The City (Tyscot)
Don’t you like that ol’ skool? Well, Bishop Noel Jones’ choir does too - after they nabbed the Brothers Johnson’s “I’ll Be Good To You” and attached it to this super-evangelical cut. For the most part, the song is quite lovable - even though we could have left the hard, in-your-face bridge alone. Radio still loved it.
23. Vanessa Bell Armstrong
"'TIL THE VICTORY'S WON"
from Walking Miracle (EMI Gospel)
VBA does an about-face on her traditional gospel lovers and pulls out a worthy performance on this club-driven funk monster. It’s so hot, so tantalizing, so groovy - that you have to forget about gospel politics and give the diva her props.
22. West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir
"NO LIMIT"
from No Limit (EMI Gospel)
David Daughtry on a West Coast cool contemporary song should be enough to open the ears of nostalgic gospel lovers. That it did when Bishop Charles E. Blake’s church delivered this fierce funky groove.
21. Marvin Winans
"JUST DON'T WANNA KNOW"
from Alone But Not Alone (PureSprings Gospel)
Bring back the days of yeah! Marvin Winans soars on this brilliantly composed ballad. It’s lush, sublimely soft and tranquil for the most part - due to Winans’ wonderful vocals and the magic of an acoustic guitar.
20. Dewayne Woods & When Singers Meet
"LET GO, LET GOD"
from Introducing Dewayne Woods & When Singers Meet (Verity/Quiet Waters Entertainment)
2006's favorite for New Artist continued to bless the country with his debut single. Think the appeal for this record rested in the adult contemporary, soft R&B sound and the chemistry it had with Woods’ sensitive pleas.
19. Mike Farris
"CAN'T NO GRAVE HOLD MY BODY DOWN"
from Salvation In Lights (INO/Columbia)
Revisiting a Rosetta Tharpe cut is very hard to fulfil. But Farris takes an old cut and breaths new magic in the aged track; bringing out its overlooked value and stamping it with Farris’ soulful chops.
18. Mavis Staples
"99 AND 1/2"
from We'll Never Turn Back (Anti-)
Hearing Ry Cooder’s production and arrangement on this classic is absolutely sweet to the bone. Staples is a legend, no doubt, and even though her voice has experienced a breakdown over the years with more grit, she still delivers and surprisingly takes us back to her performance on her 70's hit, “Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas.”
17. Beverly Crawford
"HE'S DONE ENOUGH"
from Live In Los Angeles (JDI)
Okay, Bev gives us what sounds like a reprise of “Jesus, Precious King.” But it really doesn’t matter when you hear Crawford - after a long hiatus from recording - stepping into her element and bringing such conviction to a churchy anthem like this.
16. Joshua's Troop
"EVERYBODY CLAP YOUR HANDS"
from JT3 (New Haven)
Percy Gray gives the youthful bunch of Fellowship - Rev. Clay Evans’ old church - another cool radio hit on their hands. ‘Bout time.
15. Myron Butler & Levi
"STRONGER"
from Stronger (EMI Gospel)
It’s becoming more and more difficult in knowing the differences between Kirk Franklin and his protege’ Myron Butler. On this cut, Butler delivers another contemporary smash that proves he’s not just another one hit-wonder.
14. Alvin Darling & Celebration
"NOBODY BUT THE LORD"
from My Blessing Is On The Way (Emtro Gospel)
Ol’ skool gospel gets a modern blues production on this infectious sizzler. After an acapella entrance and once the vamp kicks in, the pulsating bass and live instrumentation rocks the house.
13. Tri-City Singers
"GIANTS"
from The Grand Finale': Encourage Yourself (EMI Gospel)
The talent of super producer Donald Lawrence pays off on of the biggest summer smashes of ‘08. It also happens to be the final hit single from the Tri-City’s farewell album. Sob.
12. J Moss
"OPERATOR"
from V2... (GospoCentric)
Using the cutesy ol’ skool formula of New Edition’s “Mr. Telephone Man,” Brother Moss brings it home on this popular sleek hip-hop groove - which happened to be one heck-of-a ring tone.
11. Richard Smallwood with Vision
"I'LL TRUST YOU"
from Journey: Live In New York (Verity)
The maestro himself gave us what felt like an update of “My Everything (Praise Waiteth).” Oh, but the song became a radio favorite and encouraged our hears the more.
10. Luther Barnes & the Red Budd Gospel Choir
"YOU KEEP ON BLESSING ME"
from Somehow, Someway (AIR Gospel/Malaco)
Guess the contemporary gospel bug decided to leap into Luther Barnes’ writing abilities. He gives us, with the help of his family choir, one of the best sing-a-long delights of the year.
9. Lee Williams & the Spiritual Q.C's
"HE LAID HIS HANDS ON ME"
from So Much To Be Thankful For (MCG)
Give it up to Lee Williams! The man keeps the hits a-coming. And with a mild contemporary update, choir-like exchanges from the Q.C’s and that jamming vamp, this cut surely proves quartet ain’t just for grown folks.
8. Ruben Studdard feat. Deitrick Haddon and Mary Mary
"LOVE HIM LIKE I DO"
from Gotta Have Gospel 5 (Zomba)
Producer Warryn Campbell assembles Big Rube, Deitrick Haddon and the oh-so-lovable Mary Mary on this super-duper, bass-bolstering urban jam. May have been a bit unexpected and hard to obtain (only available on the Gotta Have Gospel 5 compilation), but it’s new-aged gospel in the right direction.
7. Tri-City Singers
"ENCOURAGE YOURSELF"
from The Grand Finale: Encourage Yourself (EMI Gospel)
Sheri Jones-Moffett, known for her work with Tedd Wynn as Ted & Sheri, singlehandedly gave us what felt like the vocal of the year. This cut, anchored by Tri-City’s passionate harmonies, soared to the top of the charts and gave us strength to encourage our selves.
6. J Moss feat. Anthony Hamilton
"I'M NOT PERFECT"
from V2... (GospoCentric)
Do we really need to explain why this cut is listed here? The song became an irresistible groove for R&B radio and featured the soulfully-delicious vocals of R&B crooner Anthony Hamilton. And it just appealed to both secular and religious communities. What a way to crossover.
5. Rev. Timothy Wright & the New York Fellowship Mass Choir
"JESUS JESUS JESUS"
from Jesus, Jesus, Jesus (KOCH/Jordan Entertainment Group)
Love it or leave it. A simple congregational song like Jesus Jesus Jesus broke into the church walls, invaded gospel radio and ended up being one of the year’s heartfelt tributes to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
4. Maurette Brown-Clark
"ONE GOD"
from The Dream (AIR Gospel/Malaco)
Being number two ain’t so bad after all. For weeks One God, with its piercing modulations and moving arrangement, rested at number two on the Billboard’s Gospel charts, but it surely felt like number one with praise teams and MySpace pages.
3. The Clark Sisters
"BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED"
from Live - One Last Time (EMI Gospel)
The Clark Sisters, reunited again for the last time, delivers heart and soul on this infectious and ingenious R&B spinner. It’s the big hit they’ve been waiting for since...well, you get the picture.
2. Anthony Hamilton feat. Jahiem and Musiq Soulchild
"STRUGGLE NO MORE (MAIN EVENT)"
from Daddy's Little Girls Original Soundtrack (Atlantic)
One listen to this and you probably may be wondering if Tyler Perry needs to leave film alone and start focusing more on music. This well-polished remix features three of today’s R&B favorites, has a thrilling sound and an inspiring ode to the God-fearing family provider.
1. Marvin Sapp
"NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT"
from Thirsty (Verity)
An unapologetic gospel anthem - Marvin Sapp delivers one of his best performances to date on this moving testimony of God’s goodness. And while he has tried his best to work his praise-and-worship on our ears, authentic gospel suits him best.
OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
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Year In Review 2007 - A PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com exclusive on 2007's biggest headlines in the gospel industry.
Essentially 2007 - PRAYZEHYMN's official list of the best gospel albums of 2007.
Summer Sizzlers - The top ten summer jams of 2007.
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