John P. Kee [2024] - Tribute To A Legend: Rance Allen, Chapter Two [Tyscot Records] (Full EP)

It will be four years in October since the loss of Gospel legend Rance Allen at the age of 71. 

On 31st March last year John P. Kee released Chapter One of Tribute To A Legend: Rance Allen and has followed it with "Tribute To A Legend: Rance Allen, Chapter Two" consisting of covers of five of Allen's songs. 

Three songs include guest vocalists with none other than Antonio McLendon featuring on "I Give My All To You". The song gaining most traction appears to be "Believe In Yourself" feat. Caleb Sean and Frank McComb.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Tyscot Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	05/04/2024
Price:	£4.95

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Gabi Poli [2024] - Deep Waters [Self Released] (Full Album)

When we posted the excellent last single "Pure" from Christian artist  Gabi Poli in Jan we alluded to it being from a forthcoming sophomore album, "Deep Waters". Well that moment has arrived as it was released today (29 Mar).

 

The album was co-written with and produced by her father Grammy nominated producer Poli Paul aka Paul Poli (Black Eyed Peas, Teedra Moses, Christina Milian, Ne-Yo, Jay Z, Nas and even Luther Vandross amongst others).

"Pure" was only her fourth single and, along with the previous two, "Change" and "Love Is Reigning", is featured on the album's eleven tracks.

The track we keep returning to is the closing track "Worship a King". We think it's an album  that you may need to live with for a few listens for some of the songs to register as we have revisited it a few times and other songs we are now warming to such as "He Was Pleased", "Matthew 6",  "Strong" and "What Good Is It".

As we were drafting this post and listening to the latest album, a track from her debut album ("Calm The Storm" Nov '21), "Don't Walk Away", came up on our Spotify feed which grabbed our attention, and is well worth checking out if you don't already know it.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/03/2024
Price:	£5.49

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Sxbbth [2024] - The Sxbbth [Self Released] (Full EP)

The debut, sample based, self-titled, EP/mixtape by contemporary gospel collective The Sxbbth is released exclusively on Bandcamp. 

They tell us 'it's not just a collection of songs, it's a manifesto of change, a declaration that gospel music can be bold, unconventional, and deeply resonant. They are challenging the conventions of traditional gospel music, carving out a space for themselves with an edgy, raw, and a unique departure from the formulaic offerings of the mainstream'.

That's undeniable as, until we read their brief on Bandcamp, we hadn't even considered it to be gospel music.

They are led by vocalist Chris Jackson, backed by producers LAWZ and Washington D.C. producer duo ANKN & VDR (Anikan & VDR).

We believe that the tracks provided on Bandcamp are just samples as all, apart from the last track, are below 2 mins in length and seem to end abruptly, but all sound good to our ears and come recommended.

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Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/03/2024
Price:	£name your price

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Judah Blakc feat. Laz Israel & Achotte Patrina [2024] - FIRE [South 71 Muzikc]

We took a punt on this album which looked like a gospel album by Judah Blakc feat. Laz Israel & Achotte Patrina.

It's a mixture of styles but three tracks sounded interesting "Nobody Knows", "His Promises" and "Flowers" so, rather than cherry pick, have posted the full album as there may be others that appeal to you. Each track is prefixed with a biblical name all of which seem to be relatives (half brother or sister) of Naphtali, the son of Jacob.

We can find nothing about Judas Blakc, save that he released another album on 20 Feb which is reggae/ragga in style 

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	22/03/2024
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

JKabel [2024] - Mighty High [Self Released] (Full Album)

The prolific JKabel releases his new album "Mighty High" today dedicated to his grandfather William Holloway. It's a whopping 18 tracker which we believe is now his 7th full album since 2020.

His last album, "Beige Living Room", was released just over a year ago on Valentine's Day '23. Unfortunately for him, it was released on the same week as October London, Will Downing and Luther Vandross albums so may have got somewhat overlooked in the mix.

Since then he has released seven singles, all but the first, "Unnecessary (Djsoulbr Oldschool Remix)" (which is a remix of a track from "Beige Living Room"), are included on the album.

If you've followed the blog for any time you will know all about JKabel (Jarrod Kabel Holloway) from Florida as we have posted most of his recent material which is contemporary soul with an inspirational message.

On "Lessons Learned" he is joined by Tamesha Pruett-Ray who also featured on the single "My Mind Stays On Jesus" in Oct '22. Ms Pruett-Ray is worship leader/music director at New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in Brenham, TX, who released a solo album "Beautiful Savior" in 2017.

It's difficult choosing standouts from 18 tracks, but if we eliminate the seven already released as singles and focus only on the new material, we are leaning towards the opening track, "The Devil Is Busy", but of course you will have your own favourites.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

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Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/03/2024
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Shonda English [2023] - There Wouldn't Be a Me (Radio Edit) [Gospel Diva Records]

You may recall a gospel album "Travelin'" by Shonda English from last august which had a few scratching their heads as a couple of tracks had seen the light of day several years earlier. Well she has released the first single from it since then, a radio edit of "There Wouldn't Be a Me" which is cut by 33s seconds from the albums opening track.

The official lead single was  "Step Right In" released in Feb '23 but "Feels Good" was also a single around 2018 we think.

In conjunction with SoulStrutter, Steve Aggasild held an interview with Shonda last October.

Having begun singing at the tender age of three and playing the piano by ear at the age of five, Shonda is also organist, percussionist, choral conductor, composer, radio personality, actress and novelist. In 2013 she left her teaching career to pursue a musical career full time and to write her first novel "Oni's Coffee" under the pseudonym E’ShaVonne.

Her father is the late Bishop William T. English, a former gospel recording artist for HOB records and the album coincides with the tenth anniversary of his death on 20 Aug '13.

Shonda also presents a weekly international radio show 'The Old Landmark Gospel Hour'. Her knowledge of gospel music she attributes to her father.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Gospel Diva Records / Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	02/02/2023
Key/BPM:	7B/100
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

JKabel [2023] - Lawd Hammercy [Self Released]

In the first week of July 'The Ambassador of Rhythm & Bible', JKabel, delivered two singles on the same day "Make You Believe" and "Praying Woman". He returns on the 1st of the month with his latest contemporary gospel offering offering "Lawd Hammercy" (i.e. Lord have mercy).

The single is from his forthcoming album "Mighty High".

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	01/09/2023
Key/BPM:	3A/80
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Kirk Franklin [2023] - Try Love [Fo Yo Soul Recordings]

Gospel veteran Kirk Franklin has a new single out today called "Try Love" it seems to use elements of Lisa Stansfield's "All Around The World" @ 1:46 (duly credited).

The song, to us, is a bit 'all over the place' with different sections and tempos and sounds a bit messy but we offer it up for you to decide. A better bet (we think) is his last single "All Things" (5 May).

Franklin, now 53, celebrates the 30th anniversary of his debut album "Kirk Franklin & Family" this year.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

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Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Contemporary Gospel
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Fo Yo Soul Recordings
Cat No:	None
Date:	25/08/2023
Key/BPM:	10B/78
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved