Essence of Gospel captured by James HaU & Worship r^-^ with BARR Y FRASER J^ dent al James Madison BET cable channel 28). messed up for a good five and Praise... High School. In 1987 he "That's about the time I 10 ten minutes." formed the choir en­ wrote 'God Is In Control'," Now, in 1997, they RQSWELL. GA, (Ed­ semble, "Worship & he recounts, "When we got have achieved a new mile­ ited Press Releases) ~ The Praise". "We were having 10 the facility, we were stone in thefr ministry' with essence of Gospel is ex­ such a good time that we given a set of five minutes tiie release of thefr third al­ posed with the release of decided to continue after on stage. bum, which is also avail­ CGI recording artist James graduation", James re­ was making his Bobby able in video format. Or­ Hall & Worship and ports. Jones debut that same der now,., and be blessed! Praise's third offering., ,. Then, in 1991, Ihey night. Bui the Spirit fell Hezekiah Walker & According lo James Hall - traveled to Atianla to ap­ and when the curtains the Love Fellowship Chapter III, Recorded live pear on "Bobby Jones came down on our perfor­ Crusade Choir - Live in at Riallo Theater. Atianla. Gospel" (seen Sundays on mance, the audience was London... at Wembley Ga,, the Ihirl^-five mem­ (Verity). Here is tme mm- ber choir aims to expose all istry in music, as Hezekiah aspects of Gospel, and to Bermuda's Top Gospel Walker reaches out lo his inspire their fans with the audience with words of re­ message of Christ, JAMES HALL Albums for September assurance, encouragement, Tliis album continues in abilities to combine his and joy. Jesus Christ is pre­ 1. God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu the James HaU tradition of Jazz and Gospel roots with sented as the answer to all Nation (B Rite) tier}- ^'ocals, upbeat homs modem, intemational fla­ our problems through and striking arrangements voring, thus creating a new 2. Dorothy Norwood — Hattie B's Dau^ter (Malaco) songs that range from the fused with traditional and sound with an age-old slow tempo of "Try contemporary Gospel, message, 3. Georgia Mass Choir with — The Preacher's Wife (Artista) Christ", lo the mid-tempo sprinkled with a little jazz James Hall is a nati\'e "We've Got The Victory", and classical flavor. 4. Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship ofBrookl>Ti,N,Y., and was Crusade Choir — Live In London at and the upbeat "Oh My "He Reigns'' is tiie lead- singing in churches by the Wembley (Verity) Brother, be Encouraged". off single after ihe sUie of age of five, accompanied 5. Andre Crouch — Pray (QuestAVamer This is Gospel Music at its "God Is In Control", but by his mother. "I was Alliance) finest. more energetic! "Hold raised in the church, and 6. Troy Donovan Simons* — Donovan Virtue (Verity). Virtue Me" is an appeal lo be my greatest joy was hear­ (Charity Records) is four young ladies, tak­ embraced by Jesus, and is ing the choir sing", he re­ 7. — A Miracle In Harlem ing Gospel Music to a a "big band" medium calls. (Word/Epic) higher dimension using tempo jazzy number. He was the ;oungesl of 8. John P. Kee and The V.l.P. Mass Choir hip-hop and urban st>ies, "Great Is Our Lord" is seven children, the son of — Stand (Verity) the voices are crisp and tmly magnificenl with ils a jazz musician. His 9. Virtue - Virtue (Verity) clear, and the harmonies various instruments in­ mother, a trained pianist, 10. Carlton Pearson — Live At Azusa 2 ... heavenly Uncomprontis- cluding chimes, organ. enrolled him in classical Precious Memories (Warner Alliance) ing lyrics make this a great t>inpani. and otiiers mosti\ training, and al the age of n. Christopher L. Gray & The North Carolina gift for witnessing to that associated with an orches­ six put him up lo sing so­ Mass Choir — Great Thuigs (CGI) young person you've been tra. los in church, 12. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir— Favorite praying for. Other selections in­ Wlien James w-as 13 his Song of AU (Warner Alliance) 13. B. Chase Williams and The Shabach Shawn McLemor and clude Ihe traditional sound motiier died. Still, he cred­ New Image - Wait On of "When He Comes Back its her witii his Gospel suc­ Choir —Give It Up (CGI) 14. Zambian Acapella (Word/Epic) Him (Verity). John P Kee In The Clouds", and the cess, "Ha\iiig grown up in produced this album of Latin flair of "Been the projects. I could have 15. Vicky Winans — Live in Detroit (CGI) 16. The Canton Spirituals — Living The contemporary Gospel Might} Good''. gone so many different Dream: Live In Washington, D.C. Choir music. This is the wa}'s". he reports, "Most Asa classically-trained (Verity) choir's debut album, wluch pianist since age five. of my friends got caught up 17. Candi Staton — Vocer Me (CGI) embraces contemporary' James Hal! possesses a in a lot of negali\e stuff, 18. BeBe & CeCe Winans — Greatest Hits rhyihms while not forget­ trained ear, gi\ing him the but I decided to sla\' in (Sparrow) ting fradilional styles. Our church and stick w ilh God, 19. Kirk Franklin and The Family — Watcha radio-picks are "shall The re\xrence for iii> Attend the Church Lookin' 4 (GospoCentrics\) Not", and "Spirit". molher is the reason I am Canton Spirituals - of your choice 20. Firebrand Youth Choir— We've Come To where I am today" Praise Him (Choice Music) Living The Dream: Live this weekend! James first formed a *Bermudian Artist In Washington, D.C. choir while he was a slu- Continued on page 7 THEWORKERS VOICE. Friday, September 12, 1997