2002 Music Recap
Music Like Never Before....
2002 was marked by milestones such as the release of Mary Mary's much-vaunted sophomore album, new music from Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Kirk Franklin, T.D.Jakes, Karen Clark-Sheard, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Donald Lawrence and Joe Pace and entries from Deitrick Haddon, Marvin Sapp, The Canton Spirituals and The Gospel Gangstaz.
 There was also the rise of Integrity Gospel, the demise of Tommy Boy Gospel and a new signing for Vickie Winans and Kim Burrell.
We mourned the passing of keyboard master Michael Robinson, Dirk Chaney, Dorothy Love Coates, Rev. E. Stewart of Rev. E. Stewart and the Stewart Family, Mildred Gay-Chism of the famous Gay Sisters and Robin Rowe Stewart.
We don't have hard figures or official statistics on this, but is anyone arguing that 2002 was the most intense year of Gospel releases ever? Albums are piled sky-high, and it seemed like every major artist (and their aunt) slapped out a new album. No, they weren't all good. But there were certainly some gems among them, and plenty to talk about along the way.
With seemingly thousands of new albums popping up last year, we never did get to review them all. (We did try, however!)
Here's some of the things that got us chatting, intrigued and simply straight out blessed. Muse along with us....
Female Artist
Dorinda Clark-Cole's solo debut release was arguably the best of the '02 Clark Sister trilogy. Perhaps the most exciting part of this is that she exceeded all expectations with one of the most well-produced albums of the year. Add to that, Dorinda knows what she can do, and truthfully, she can do it all.
Joann Rosario. Is she a one-hit wonder? We think not. Besides her title cut, Rosario successfully debuted Fred Hammond's Fhammond Music label with powerful hits such as "Serve You Only" and the latin-flavored "Sigueme". With outstanding radio play to boot, there's no getting around Joann Rosario.
And we aren't forgetting new soul wonder Lisa McClendon either!
Male Artist
Fred Hammond has the midas touch. This year, he brought us the historical Commissioned Reunion, launched his own music label and then found time to release the third chapter to the Pages of Life phenomenon. Speak Those Things reminds us of exactly how prolific the Detroit native is. The Hammond era is in full effect.
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Gospel Albums Charting Atop Billboard During 2002
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Gibraan may be the best-kept secret in the Nureau camp. After dancing for years with Tonex, Gibraan introduced himself to us with Mockingbyrd Slang, combining infectious beats with thought-provoking rhymes that will burn a hole in your CD player. If you didn't know, now you do.
And we aren't forgetting soul crooner Smokie Norful either!!
Best CD that Never Got Released in 2002
On the strength of Kim Burrell's brilliant, Mario Winans-produced single "Special Place", it's got to be the elusive Thank You, the Bad Boy Gospel album. Who knows if it will ever see the light of day? The longer we wait, the more we suspect that it may never happen.
Best Comeback
There were plenty. Take your pick of The Rance Allen Group with All The Way, Montrel Darrett with his metal experimentation on Soul Metal Unrehearsed, Karen Clark Sheard with Second Chance, the re-emergence of The Anointed Pace Sisters, former Anointed singer Mary Tiller who emerged with a solo project, The Clark Sisters (who appeared together on the Twinkie Clark live album, singing "Endow Me") or the entire set of favorite Hezzie songs that made their comback on the enjoyable Family Affair 2 project. But you have to give it to The Commissioned Reunion. The name says it all.
Best Harmony
The Anointed Pace Sisters are always a pleasure to hear harmonize, and who can forget newcomers 7th Element, with their refined and smooth ways. On the urban tip, it didn't get much better than what Kenya's Milele had to offer, and New Jersey's Rain threesome made a mark. Then there was Take 6.
Did They Really Just Do That?
John Kee went country. The "Crown Prince of Gospel" made one of the most shocking musical moves of 2002, and perhaps of the new millenium, as he and the New Life Community Choir went country on us with "Just For Me" from the Blessed By Association project. Oddly enough, what sounds like a joke becomes the most infectious song of the project. Go figure.
Tonex goes European. The wildest guy in Gospel trades his Nureau vibe for a more European sound. "Everybody Sing" (released only on the Above the Noise Gospel promo compilation) saw Tonex morph into a pop vocalist with a song that sounds nothing like the Tonex we "thought" we knew. And who tried to put him in a box again?
Best Compilation
For overall thoroughness of one artist's work, give it up to the Very Best of The Winans from Rhino Records. For that yearly overview, you can't forget about WOW Gospel 2002, and for sheer quality of new material, put the beam on A Purpose Driven Life, with all of its wonderful Buster & Shavoni production.
Best Foreign Album
Source of Joy comes from Sweden, and if you can get beyond the alarming cover art of their album you'll find some choir gems on their latest, Live At Stockholm South, nicely assembled, good production and sung with plenty of heart. Caroline from the UK needs to be heard as well.
This Album Should Have Been #1!
Brent Jones & TP Mobb came on strong with Beautiful. He brought some awesome songs to the table this year and managed to bring back one of the hottest voices of the '90s, Cheryl "Coko" Gamble. The album did well this year but should've spent some time as the #1 album on the charts.
And then there was KJ-52 with Collaborations. OK...he does vocally resemble Eminem. The irony, though, is that he doesn't shy away from that and manages to be more prolific  than Mr. Shady himself. He even writes a letter to him that he entitles "Dear Slim". But this should've been #1 because of KJ's skills and delivery. If you wonder why we say this, just listen to "47 Emcees" and "ABCs and 123s". Nuff said....
The Jam
In a year filled with jeep tracks and jams, how can anyone do justice to the category? Among the year's hottest jams (see Gospel Jeep Tracks overview), Tonex's "Dancin' In The Son" has to be up for top honor considerations. So does the fusion genius of Souljahz' "Let It Go" and Kirk Franklin's new millenial version of Rich Mullins' "He Reigns". Mary Mary's "In The Morning", Brent Jones and TP Mobbs' "Rich" and GRITS; "Here We Go" rank high too.
The Remix
'Let's hear that one again', you say, 'but now let's mix it up a little bit'. It's the remix. We grooved to "Serve You Only" from Joann Rosario, and "Holla" from Trin-i-tee 5:7.
Gospel Cover of a Secular Song
Really, you need look no further than The Blind Boys of Alabama's Higher Ground album, to hear not one, but several Gospel covers of songs that you may have never given a second thought to. Clarence Fountain and his esteemed colleagues bring a flush of gritsy Gospel feel to Prince's "The Cross" and The Funkadelics' "Me and My Folks".
Old School With Neo Soul
Ears popped on hearing Israel and New Breed's sophomore album, Real, with Tommy Sims ensuring that phat organic soul vibe. We were also loving Smokie Norful's rock-solid piano-based vocal ministry, and Lisa McClendon's early 2002 impact with My Diary, Your Life.
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Album Cover Art That Grabbed Attention
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Traditional
Dr. E.T. Byrd and the Inspirational Ensemble didn't get much press, but the project deserved to. Dr. Byrd has been around for decades, and this Marxan Records album showcased quality through and through, from appearances from Beverly Crawford to newcomer Joshua Nelson. The Blind Boys of Alabama's Higher Ground project merits honors, and The Bonner Brothers' debut on Malaco was worthy.
The DVD
Never have so many DVDs been issued before in Gospel. With all that, The Commissioned Reunion DVD took the cake. Commissioned has always been an innovative force in the music industry and they continued with this once-in-a-lifetime recording and happened to be one of the first to put it down on DVD. However, Commissioned, in their grand style, lead the way. Besides that, if you look hard enough, you'll find the Gospelflava.com staff on there :-)
Kirk Franklin's live concert is what makes this DVD, but what sets it over the edge is all that behind-the-scenes bonus footage. From clowning to hard rehearsal to prayer, this one really does bring you inside.
Choir Albums with Groove Factor
They have more than their hit, "Awesome God" going for them, as the sizzling voices called Youthful Praise also churned out wonders such as "Deliver" and "Great and Greater". Malcolm Williams and the Voices of Greater Faith turned heads with songs such as "One More River".
Impressive Debut
There's a lineup for this one, and in the queue are Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers, Lisa McClendon, San Diego's Nureau sibling trio Souljahz. As well, Gary Mayes and Nu Era blazed on their first project.
Stunning Independent Albums
The duo Verge of Life, solo artist Lisa McClendon, Chicago's Malcolm Williams and The Voices of Great Faith, Boston's Freda Battle and the Temple Worshippers, Kenyan foursome Milele and Jon Gibson's worthy praise project each vyed for attention.
Unique Collaborations
Charles Woolfork has been known for his distinctive urban party vibe. He teamed with Melvin Williams on "Lifted Me" to deliver a down home quartet number that shows that Woolfork can flip it in any style.
Gospel Gangstaz and Bootsy Collins? Yes. True gangstas team up with an original funk legend for a very hot track that let us know that "Gangstaz don't dance but they boogie." It marks the debut for Camp 8 and solidifies the relationship between west coast rap and 70s funk. It worked for Snoop Dogg and it works for the Gangstaz.
Gospel Appearance on a Mainstream Album
Kirk Whalum showed up on Jonathan Butler's beautiful Surrender album (with Butler returning the favor on Whalum's knockout jazz project). Vickie Winans stepped in for a minute on Prymary Colorz' project and Bishop Eddie Long gave a stirring altar call on Montell Jordan's latest effort.
 Mainstream Appearance on a Gospel Album
We'd like to say Carl Thomas on the Michelle Williams album, or Patti Labelle on the God's Leading Ladies project from Bishop T.D. Jakes, but we'll go with Cheryl "Coko" Gamble on Brent Jones and TP Mobb's Beautiful album, on the song "Midnite".
Gospel Tours
Hopeville was (and is) incredible. The Commissioned Reunion Tour was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and The Winans Family Tour was well-received.
And then there was the Gospel Evolution Tour. This tour allowed us to see the best in urban gospel on the same stage at the same time. Where else could you get Men of Standard, Ray Bady, Trin-i-tee 5:7, and Tonex together in the same place? Add the legendary Percy Bady as the music director and background vocalists led by Ms. Tonex and you're likely to have an explosion that will take weeks to recover from. This tour was the truth!
Revealing Interviews
Gospel Gangstaz. This interview saw Tik Tokk speak candidly about their misfortunes as well as gave us a look at the music industry that was eye-opening and provocative. Their journey to musical independence and struggles to minister give a whole new look at Gospel artists.
Trin-i-tee 5:7. Lead vocalist, Chanelle Haynes spoke honestly about the group's vision and addressed common misconceptions about the group.
Producer Lee Jerkins dictated a refreshing, no-holds-barred defense of Gospel hip hop, and of keeping it honest.
Who knew that if Dorinda Clark-Cole weren't singing, she would be dancing on Broadway??
Unusual Album Titles
There's not too much more to say here, than to simply give you the three album titles that grabbed this honor.
Artist Websites
Catchy Album Art
No matter what the music sounds like, it's that album artwork that serves as the hook to bring you in. Truthfully, it can make or break the sales of a project. Here's our pick of this year's album eye-candy.
The Liner Notes
Lin Woods writes an all-encompassing sum up of The Winans on the notes to Rhino Records' Very Best of the Winans. Honorable mentions to the notes from The Commissioned Reunion album and to the words in Pettidee's Street Music - The Legacy Volume 2.
The Producer
Gospelflava.com's own James D. Robinson Jr. worked an absolute wonder with the Youthful Praise debut, Awesome God which garnered two Stellar Award nominations. A best  kept secret, look for more of Robinson's production prowess on the upcoming Kervy Brown solo debut and several other projects in 2003."
J.Moss continued to make an impact on some of the biggest albums of the year. He laced projects for his cousins Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard. He also made some big noise with Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Hezekiah Walker as well. Holla!!
The return of Kenny Smith (Kecia Lewis, Renee Spearman and Prez) and the continued success of Tommy Sims (Israel and New Breed) is also noted.
Most Unusual Moment on an Album
Pigeon John with "B". The song "B" is an acoustic live cut that Pigeon John does at a cafe. Well, as he tells his story, he begins to tell the audience "I'll die for you". He begins to escalate his voice and ultimately starts screaming as though he's gone postal. Not normal and definitely unusual. It serves as quite the intro for the song.
The Lyrics
Hands down, it's either of these from Gibraan and Joann Rosario's debuts, respectively.
"Like my turbans tight like Osama, bin writin' drama
Bomb the Scottish right then walk into the light with your mama"
—Gibraan, "Afghan Borders & Bloodstained Banners"
"If it's not you then I don't want it at all
Cause it's not true
I'm guaranteed to take the fall
I seek you, I hear you
The voice that makes me strong
Now I know it's you and I won't compromise my heart
— Joann Rosario, "If It's Not You"
Most Unexpected Gospel Appearance
The Souljahz at the televised One World Jam Concert from New York. Youthful Praise backing up Joan Osborne of the Late Night With Conan O'Brian singing "Love's In Need".
Live Concert Album
Many Gospel albums are recorded live, but only a few convey that genuine concert vibe. Close your eyes and listen to the congregational rapport that both BeBe Winans and
Kirk Whalum brought to their respective albums. Warm, inviting and filled with some incredible musical moments, these two albums made the grade and then some.
Sleeper of the Year
More people need to get with Out of Eden. Their This is Your Life project combines urban bounce, good scriptural insight and a bevy of jams and even slow ballads that will be spinning into 2003. The Singletons on Fhammond Music, with Pour Out Your Holy Spirit, would surprise people!
Diversity On An Album
Tonex gave us lots of styles on O2, even though it is predominantly an Urban Contemporary album. Charles Woolfork's Soulfood ran the gamut from traditional to quartet to reggae to contemporary to urban, with a lot in between too!
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compiled by GospelFlava.com Staff —
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