PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [Re-solutions]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment

2005 brought along many challenges towards the gospel music community. Overusage of sampling, a trademark heavily used in mainstream music, became the trademark on most album releases, while the lack of originality and absence of dominant churchy sounds became serious concerns for music critics. Lessons have been learned and it's time to take a serious moment to reflect on what 2006 may bring our way. Plus, it's that time of the year to set serious standards to be followed for the remainder of the new year - something we all know well as being "New Year resolutions". Of course, on the bulk of many individuals' list of resolutions will be either one of the three: 1) to work out more 2) go on a diet and 3) to become more faithful to God while finding a church home to commit to. With 2005 finishing out with a good number of setbacks and shortcomings, it should be noted that the gospel music community should also set a list of resolutions.

Of course, let's not set those goals so high...that they can't be accomplished.

Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Sing Anything Written by Rudy
You did a great job on Eddie Long's project with Kevin Bond's song, "Suddenly" and you showed off your chops once again with John P. Kee. Now we have been warned that EMI Gospel has signed you to their label. Please, make sure you get a song from Rudolph Stanfield. Any song by him...you can't go wrong. His songs just work right on you. Trust me!

Gladys Knight...Produced by Cedric Thompson
Gladys, you have proven to the world, especially after that amazing performance on the BET Walk of Fame Celebration in your honor, that you still got it. After all these years! You sound just as good as you did when "Midnight Train To Georgia" was cut. And we are familiar that you have tucked your hands on a few gospel or inspirtational projects. But we do feel it is best that you focus your attention on Cedric Thompson for your next gospel project. With the right songs and with good direction, you can give the gospel community just what we have been looking for. We still won't be mad at you for doing a R&B project...not at all. But Ced's piano licks and clear production would sound so right with your voice.

The Clark Sisters...Invest Serious Time On The Highly-Expected Upcoming Project
Wow, Karen. Twinkie. Dorinda. Jacky. The dream we have all have been waiting for has finally come. We are so thankful for the many albums and songs you have released over the years. And even your solo projects have touched us all. We must mention that you all have enticed us greatly with those mini-reunions on each other's projects. And while we await for the big reunion to come into manifestation, we only pray that you invest serious time in putting this together. Don't rush a project out there of only old stuff. We want that, but we want a good mix. Something new, fresh, original. Give us that sensational vibe we felt on Twinkie Clark Presents The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir or on

The Resurrection of The Classic Recordings
Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar "Give Us Peace", Rev. James Cleveland "Live at Carnegie Hall", Benny Cummings "Lord Make Me Over: Concept I", "Rev. Milton Brunson & the Thompson Community Singers "Miracle", Dr. Mattie Moss Clark & UNAC/Western Michigan State Choir projects...the list goes on. We want these back on the shelves and we want them digitally remastered and packaged well.

Micah Stampley and Karen Clark-Sheard, Duet Please!
After much meditation, we have discovered that both you (Micah) and you (Karen) have such unique voices, yet you bare strong similarities and likenesses. Why not do a duet together. The idea of the two of you uniting for a ballad makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Walter Hawkins Love Alive V: Live at Carnegie Hall
OK. Most of the Carnegie Hall recordings in the past have not been the best live projects released. This has something to do with the facility itself not being the best location for live remote recordings. But, why not have Walter Hawkins and the Family record a project at Carnegie. Everyone else has performed there...so why not have this wonderful family of singers sing a good set of original and classic throwbacks there. That would include Tramaine, Edwin, Lynette and Shirley Miller and Yvette Flunder and...

John P. Kee - Allow Other Writers To Contribute
We have noticed a trend on your projects, Pastor Kee. You write all the songs yourself. You sing, you play, you direct, you produce...you do almost everything. Try not to kill yourself with doing everything. Relax and allow someone else to contribute a few songs you are comfortable in doing on your next one.

Throw The "I Am Grand" Egos Out
"Pay me 15 grand...I need four dressing rooms...I cannot play at that small church...I will not tour with her...where is my Bentley?" These and other statements should be very few in the new year. Even though we are pretty sure that our fellow gospel artists may not easily take heed to these suggestions, we should respond by simply telling them when these outbursts are made that we don't like their attitude.

More DVD/Music Video Releases
Ummm, 2005 was not a good year for gospel DVD releases. Let's do better this year, and let's put strong emphasis on better content. Thank you.

The Winans Back In The Studio
It's time...time to record again. We know Pastor Marvin Winans is so busy pastoring and preaching. The role of a pastor is very tough. But please, excuse us in saying that we are begging you all to record another studio project. I'm quite sure Kanye West, John Legend, even the Neptunes can loan you all a track for your next single. Of course, the absence of Ron will be hard to avoid, but BeBe won't mind joining in.

More White and Black Collabos
Why not see Natalie Grant duet with Smokie Norful...or Jason Crabb of the Crabb Family sing with Kierra KiKi Sheard. Magical moments, I tell you. That can happen in 2006, let's just pray that we as the Body of Christ will adapt to the fact that there is "neither no Jew, nor Gentile, circumsized or uncircumsized, female or male, black or white" in Christ...but we are one. It would be nice to see the Katinas join up with Virtue.

A Legit Gospel House Remix Album
For some strange reason, there's not enough house gospel circulating on the music shelves. Actually, there is no house gospel circulating the music shelves. That's a big problem. There are some believers out there that can really dance and can get down with the best of them. Why not make music that will have the clubs a-jumpin' - instead feature gospel remixes set to house music. Mainstream audiences enjoyed the works of Motown Remixed, Toni Braxton remix album, Curtis Mayfield Remixed and even the Verve Remixed project...why can't we get more house and remix projects in the gospel market. EMI, Zomba, Sony...I know yall' hear me.

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Produces Another Gospel Project
OK. We surely miss your colloaborations with Sounds of Blackness. Seriously. Yet you continue to delight our ears with your productions, secular or gospel. The Fighting Temptations' soundtrack: success. Yolanda Adams' "Be Blessed" and "Somebody Watching Over You": teriffic. Earth Wind And Fire's "Pure Gold" and "Love's Groove": sensational. Sounds of Blackness: Cowabonga! Please make an effort to redevelop Perspective Records and produce yet another gospel act.

Patti Labelle - The Gospel Project
It has been almost three years since the big rumor hit the music world about you, the R&B diva known for singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "If Only You Knew", recording a gospel album. Please don't let this be another teaser in 2006. Just do it...we are really curious to hear how this one will turn out. You have embraced gospel projects like the Church compilation and Shirley Caesar & Friends and have electrified audiences with your takes on "Who's On The Lord's Side", "I Don't Feel Noways Tired" and "You Are My Friend". You have to give us at least one full-length gospel collection. It would also be nice to hear you sing with Aretha and Michael McDonald and Donnie McClurkin and maybe even Tramaine Hawkins or Fantasia.