PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [Top 33: Classic Summer Gospel Jams]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Editor-At-Large, PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Posted: July 23, 2009

OH THE GLORY DAYS OF SUMMER. The time to show off those wonderful curves and the countless hours of gym time. The time to certainly carry those coolers in the backseats with the chilled Dasanis. And the perfect time to witness to passing cars with the irresistible, funky beats encoded with the Good News. We decided, after doing a few years of providing current playlists, to reach back, reflect and collect some of the ‘baddest joints’ from the late’80s, 90s and of this decade. 30 years of great summer fun. So after you’ve played DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s “Summertime,” Another Bad Creation’s “Playground” and De La Soul’s “A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays” and you’ve treated yourself to some R&B classics like Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day,” be sure to check out our top 33 summer jams from the gospel catalog. You’ll be gettin’ jiggy for Jesus.

33. "CELEBRATE NEW LIFE"
BeBe & CeCe Winans
from Heaven (Capitol, 1988)
Look for the remixes on this one. The original version is ordinary, but the mixes are generously saucy enough for the dance floor. And with that happy lyric and that warm melody, your summer’s going to be a blast.

32. "INTERVENTION"
Lavine Hudson
from Intervention (Virgin, 1988)
When Boy George was cranking up Virgin’s catalog with “Don’t Take Your Mind on a Trip,” Virgin decided to sign UK gospel sensation Lavine Hudson in attempts to grab hold of the BeBe & CeCe Winans success. Seminally it worked on the 1990 CCM/gospel Top 100 R&B hit Intervention. The sound survives the curse of some of the late ‘80s music, which is an added bonus of wonderful nostaglia.

31. "GOODTIME"
Brent Jones & the T.P. Mobb
from Brent Jones & the T.P. Mobb (MCG/Holy Roller, 1999)
Another feel-good song using a timeless sample. This time, it’s Isley-Jasper-Isley’s “Insatiable Woman” on top of a lovely summer groove and carefree lyrics.

30. "STRENGTH"
New Life Community Choir featuring John P. Kee
from Strength (Verity, 1997)
Without getting gangsta, John P. Kee takes his fun contemporary gospel style and incorporates it into some hard hip-hop sounds, a brash of attitude and some of that Cameo funk. Word up!

29. "ACT LIKE YOU KNOW"
Natalie Wilson & the S.O.P. Chorale
from Girl Director (GospoCentric, 2000)
Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins steps in on the fa-shizzle urban track “Act Like You Know” and delivers an energetic, boombastic groove that will certainly make your ride sound so cool.

28. "SHOUT"
Rev. Milton Brunson & the Thompson Community Singers
from Shout (Word, 1995)
This is as close as it’s going to get to Kirk Franklin’s “Stomp” without sounding...uhh..old school. With the choir raging in three-part harmonies and a sizzling brass section adding heat to the rich contemporary textures, this funky classic is sure to bring the whole family together for a head-bobbin’ good time.

27. "FOLLOW ME"
New Jersey Mass Choir
from Hope of the World (Light, 1992)
An innocent summer breeze enters into this New Jersey Mass Choir radio classic. Of course, the popular contemporary gospel choir from New Jersey always had a knack of producing cross-cultural, genre-bending songs (remember them singing on Foriegner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is”). This one remains one of their most poignant R&B favs.

26. "HE'S A KEEPA'"
Rodnie Bryant & the Christian Community Mass Choir
from He's a Keepa' (Tyscot, 1997)
Contemporary gospel choir lovers just couldn’t get enough of this head-bangin’ rocker. And it goes to show you that you can take some cool urban swagger and dab it into some Sunday morning harmonies and still have a winner on your hand.

25. "DO YOUR WILL"
Rance Allen Group
from All the Way (Tyscot, 2002)
If you’ve never taking a vacation to the Islands, you may want to take a staycation using this Rance Allen groove. You’ll feel like you’ve been after bumping up the volume on this trendy 2002 single from the renowned soul gospel group. Gotta love those horns on the end.

24. "IT'S ALRIGHT (SEND ME)"
Winans Phase 2
from We Got Next (Sony/Word, 1999)
The latest generation of the Winans dynasty deliver what seems like a 112/BlackStreet arrangement on this radio0ready urban gem. It’s unfortunate that it’s probably the only thing we remembered from the group. But it was good while it lasted.

23. "GOD'S GOT A BLESSING (WITH MY NAME ON IT!)"
Nornan Hutchins
from Nobody But You (JDI, 1999)
You got to give Nornan Hutchins some extra credit for this groovy contemporary jam. Mostly known for scribing beloved traditional ditties, Hutchins discovers an appealing youthful sound that breaths fresh H20 into Jason White’s smart keyboard choices. Add Hutchins’ acoustic guitar and a charming chorus and the song is too good to pass up.

22. "WE GIVE THANKS"
Witness
from He Can Do the Impossible (CGI/A&M, 1995)
A clear picture of early ‘90s New Jack swing at its purest and holiest. Michael Brooks does a splendid job on the production of this Wtiness radio hit.

21. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID"
Take 6
from Brothers (Warner Alliance, 1996)
The sixsome not only harmonize well when instrumentation isn’t present: they know how to rock a beat. Using a new jack swing groove, Take 6 gets down on this uplifting contemporary R&B gem taken from their 1996 Brothers album.

20. "EVERYBODY"
Woody Rock
from Soul Music (GospoCentric, 2001)
He left hip-hop/R&B boy band Dru Hill to go solo for Jesus. The heavy hitter from his solo project (and his only project to date) was the Gospel Gangstaz-collabo “Everybody.” Much of the song’s irresistible appeal comes from the Warryn Campbell mix.

19. "WHEREEVER YOU ARE"
Yolanda Adams
from Mountain High...Valley Low (Elektra, 1999)
If you have to get one song from the Yolanda Adams catalog for those hot days of July, you will no doubt find relief in “Wherever You Are.” It’s moderately paced with a cool breeze and features that irresistible Jam & Lewis magic.

18. "BY HIS GRACE"
Maurette Brown-Clark
from By His Grace (AIR Gospel, 2002)
It’s an odd combination of Steven Ford’s rocking organ, hearty bass lines and sprawling percussion, but it’s one that immensely satistifes the ear. When the vamp enters the picture, turn up the volume. The Princess of Praise gives us a celebration worth shouting about.

17. "ONE THING"
Marvin Sapp
from Diary of a Psalmist (Verity, 2003)
Kevin Bond’s stylish keyboard synths, hearty drum programming and a rockabilly melody does a job well done on this house-sounding uptempo jam. The ride is totally enjoyable from beginning to end.

16. "PRESSING ON"
Vanessa Bell Armstrong
from Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Jive, 1987)
The incomparable voice of Vanessa Bell Armstrong brings out the best of this late ‘80s dance sensation. Listen closely and you would think the song was a leftover from Janet Jackson’s Control album. Brilliantly done.

15. "LIGHTHOUSE"
New Direction
from New Direction (Myrrh/Word, 1999)
The sounds on this choir rocker are engineered with a clean, polished R&B sweetness. With a bit of synth power, New Direction’s robust vocals and some snazzy drum programming, Chicago gospel comes to life in a very summer-like kind of way.

14. "YOU"
The Bad Boy Family
from WOW Gospel 2002 (Verity/EMI/Word, 2002)
Only released as a single and making landfall on the WOW Gospel 2002 compilation, the Bad Boy Family (Carl Thomas, Faith Evans, 112) - along with hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs - organized the urban gospel tour de force which still astonishes with its bright, breezy, feel-good vibrations.

13. "NEVER SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS"
Tri-City Singers
from Tri-City 4.com (EMI, 2000)
With several songs from Lawrence’s chamber resembling this classic, the early bird still catches the worm. “Never Seen the Righteous” is still worth every second on every listen. Full of bass, sharp rhythm attacks and a hip-hop tinged vamp - all the key ingredients for a gospel showdown.

12. "TESTIFY"
Commissioned
from Times and Seasons (Verity, 1999)
Once people discovered how to exactly create the Jam & Lewis aesthetic, gospel veterans like Commissioned didn’t see any problem in dabbing in the radio-friendly grooves. “Testify” is just one of those great examples.

11. "I'M GOING ALL THE WAY"
Sounds of Blackness
from Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum (Perspective/A&M, 1994)
Ann Nesby gives us some of that gospel conviction she’s notoriously known for on this peachy, warm upbeat gem. You almost don’t want the song to end.

10. "BOUT' A THANG"
Tonex'
from 02 (Verity, 2002)
Using a strong, smart sample of Sylvia Striplin’s “Give Me Your Love” disco hit on “Bout a Thang” is as clever as George Clinton using James Brown’s “I Got Ants In My Pants” on “(Not Just) Knee Deep.” It’s a win win.

9. "VICTORY"
Tye Tribbett & G.A.
from Victory Live! (Columbia, 2006)
Without pulling out E.U’s “The Butt,” you can still have the same kind of fun on this Tye Tribbett go-go party disco jam. The results aren’t the same, of course. But you get the picture.

8. "ONCE"
Londa Larmond
from Love Letters (EMI Gospel, 2001)
Get down with some light atmospheric house/club action. The Toronto native makes no excuses for this picnic in the park. But don’t get too caught up in the grooviness of the song, the message is strictly a Sunday school lesson.

7. "LOOKING FOR YOU"
Kirk Franklin
from Hero (GospoCentric, 2005)
Oh, the sounds of Patrice Rushen’s “Haven’t You Heard” comes to life on this Kirk Franklin monster jam. No wonder it doesn’t become generic with countless listens. The disco-pop of “Looking for You” is too hard to shake off.

6. "LET THE REDEEMED"
Virtue
from Virtue (Verity, 1997)
You probably don’t need to dust off Peebles “Mercedes Boy” when you rediscover this summer pleaser. One small listen to this innocent, good-natured ‘90s R&B of “Let the Redeemed” will have you reminiscing on the good ol’ days.

5. "SOMEBODY"
Mary Mary
from Thankful (Columbia, 2000)
Sure, “Shackles (Priase You)” still rocks and is definitely a summer blast, but “Somebody” is flamboyantly summer-styled. Cute keyboard chords, water-like drips and compelling lead vocals from Mary Mary help seal the deal.

4. "HOLD ON (CHANGE IS COMIN')"
Sounds of Blackness
from Time for Healing (Perspective/A&M, 1997)
Pull out the beach towels and umbrellas on this one. A bright sing-a-long chorus, a Roger Troutman sample and the occasional Southern guitar plunks bring this Sounds of Blackness classic to an impressive apex.

3. "DEPEND ON YOU"
BeBe & CeCe Winans
from Different Lifestyles (Capitol, 1991)
It’s cool, urban and jazzy enough to rock a Bobby Brown “greatest hits” album. Unfortunately, it’s Brown’s loss and the popular gospel duo’s gain. On this opening track of BeBe & CeCe’s best-selling Different Lifestyles album, the pair work through a sound that ironically conjures up the best of Babyface’s productions. Even if Babyface didn’t touch it.

2. "SOLD OUT"
Helen Baylor
from Start All Over (Word, 1993)
Contemporary Christian music never sounded this funky. Helen Baylor delivers a smash that might stand up to Chaka Khan’s “Love of a Lifetime.” It’s a bit of ‘80s nostalgia and hip ‘90s progression all looped into a sold-out gospel lyric.

1."DON'T GIVE UP"
Island Inspirational All-Stars
from Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: Motion Picture Soundtrack (Island, 1995)
This is summer fun all the way. It’s also a nice collab of some of gospel’s most notable singers (Donald Lawrence, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Karen Clark-Sheard). If you don’t remember this song, check out (with caution) the motion picture Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.

OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
We perish because of the lack of knowledge. Get schooled.
Top 33: Too-Much-Hype Our top 33 pet peeves in the gospel music industry.
Summer Sizzlers (2008) - PRAYZEHYMN compiles the hottest, coolest gospel jams of 2008.
Summer Sizzlers (2007) - PRAYZEHYMN's top 10 summer gospel jams from 2007.
Summer Sizzlers (2006) -PRAYZEHYMN assembles the best summer jams of 2006.