Paul Porter A New Day
As a member of the famed Christianaires, Paul Porter served up that good old fashioned, toe tapping, quartet gospel music that we all love and enjoy. With this new solo project he gives the listener plenty of that sound but he also offers many contemporary tracks that showcase his talent. Opening with the traditional spirited song "My Redeemer Lives" that "Christianaire sound" comes shining through. Next up is the jazzy "You Are" where Porter sings on how God is there whenever he needs Him and how He is everything to him. "You are my strength and my song, my shelter from harm, my hope for tomorrow..." really touching lyrics. Porter has endured quite a few things including a 10 year recovery from a brain aneurism. Going over the solemn blessings (beatitudes, benedictions) which mark the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, the very first of Jesus' sermons in the Gospel of St. Matthew (5:3-10), Porter's "You’re Blessed" covers them with a conviction that only a person who knows he is blessed can offer. A great soulful R&P (Rhythm and Praise) joint is this track. Other songs to note are the Rance Allen feature "If There's No Tomorrow" and the Congo driven "I know A Man." A nice project and worth checking out. Learn more about Paul Porter at www.myspace.com/paulportergospel


Dave Hollister Witness Protection
Opening with the pensive ballad "I'm Here" Hollister lulls the listener from the first track. And there ensues the problem with this entire project. One must fight being bored with it. While the extraordinary vocals of Hollister are on point and undeniable and there are a few highlights on this CD, this project lacks the real up-tempo joints that a Hollister CD needs. We are not necessarily looking for a "No Diggity" on here but something with a little head bumpin' groove is seriously needed on this project. Unlike the testimonal first gospel CD that Hollister released, this sophomore turn finds him in a more chilled out place then before. Still a nice hot track would work wonders for us Hollister fans. Even the urban bass driven "Glow" comes off more like something "Uncle Booker" would be listening to back in the day while riding in his caddy. The techno-groove that uses Bobby Brown's Every Step I Take in the lyrics "More of You" is close to what Dave Hollister fans are looking for but still something is missing. The highlights on the project are the finger snapping "Striving" and the testimonial "Church" and the sweet ballad "You Are". Three songs that listeners should relate to easily. Dave you don't have to slow it completely down since you are doing Gospel man...remember church folks like to party for Jesus too. Check out the project for yourself and you be the judge at www.myspace.com/officialdavehollister.com


Dottie PeoplesDo It
Dottie Peoples has been singing toe tapping traditional Gospel for years and this new project gives her listeners more of the same. Opening with the hand clapping "Do It" Peoples recounts the blind and lame man being healed by Jesus and states therefore 'whatever you need to do Lord...do it" and it will be all right with her. And Dottie Peoples does what is all right with us...she just does it when it comes to giving us good music. The ballad "Be Merciful" is up next and it is a nice one but it is on the uplifting spirited tracks like "Won't Turn Around" and "Only God" where she really shines. A good going to "churrrch" CD if there ever was one. Finally don't sleep on the rocking track "Not Goodbye". Released on her new label DP Muzik Group I have a feeling that this project will be just the beginning of good music from this new venture. Check out Dottie Peoples at www.dottiepeoples.com