*FROM DETROIT TO DECATURE: BISHOP J.C. WILLIAMS ENCOUNTERS NEW LIFE
By Bob Marovich, The Black Gospel Blog
Our gospel editor interviews Bishop J.C. Williams on the occasion of his new album release, The Encounter Live, recorded with the Voices of New Life. "I'm my own worst critic," Williams laughs, "and I absolutely love the project!"

*GOSPEL NEWS & NOTES
The Search for Blind Willie Johnson and The Texas Gospel Searches For Funding--a Kickstarter campaign is underway to fund The Search for "Blind" Willie Johnson and the Texas Gospel, a documentary that will explore Texas gospel music and its antecedents. Details herein.

Tornado Flattens Malaco Records Complex In Missisissippi; Owners Uncertain About Rebuilding; Master Tapes Lost--A piece of Mississippi history and American music history both was virtually blown away by the destructive storms that tore through the state on April 15. When the twister subsided, the legendary Malaco Records complex was reduced to rubble, including the room that housed the master tapes chronicling decades of recording by giants on the order of Little Milton, Bobby Blue Bland and ZZ Hill.

*BOB MAROVICH’S GOSPEL PICKS

MADELYN BERRY, Madelyn--On her eponymously-titled third CD, Madelyn Berry continues to demonstrate that she can hold her own vocally against better-known urban gospel female singers such as Damita Haddon and Kiki Sheard.

 

HOSTYLE GOSPEL, Five Star Generals--This holy hip hop group from Champaign, Illinois does more than stomp. On their mixtape, Five Star Generals, the trio unpacks an entire arsenal of anti-devil weaponry. They break demons’ necks, drive stakes into them and even toss their ol' sorry evil selves into trash cans and roll them.

BLESSID UNION OF SOULS, The Mission Field--Blessid Union of Souls’ seventh album, but first for Salvation Road Records, contains smart, socially aware lyrics with bright and accessible melodies. Not just tangentially inspirational, the songs on The Mission Field give honor to God and Jesus. Not only is lead singer Eliot Sloan unafraid to proclaim his faith, but he uses it as a lens with which to view the world and its complexities.

CONNECTION!, Unleashed--Apostle Kareem Jackson, who is an associate minister at Deliverance Rock Ministries in Houston, serves as lead vocalist on the quartet’s third CD, Unleashed. Lyrically and musically, Jackson and Connection! ladle out the comfortable and familiar old-time religion for which gospel quartets are renowned and revered.