Shari Addison
With eight seasons of American Idol already sealed in American history and whimper-like rumors of the show’s crumbling effects with its sudden drop of viewers, its competition hasn’t been so lucky to cash in on the ten seconds of fame. Counting the long list of talent shows, regardless of what network it aired, is as time consuming than counting the roster on Zomba. Not even Nashville Star or TBN’s Gifted has been able to match the non-yielding powers of the great Idol (no pun intended). And while BET’s gospel version of Idol – Sunday Best – was wedged in between some dark and degrading programming like Hot Ghetto Mess or American Gangster and even sparking the Enough Is Enough protest, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel with the results of Shari Addison’s debut project on Zomba Gospel. On her self-titled project, the likable runner-up from the first season remains true to the traditional gospel roots she revved in on the cable talent show. No better way for Addison to present herself in a more up-to-date and soulful caliber than to have Grammy-award winning Kevin Bond producing the project. Guest contributors on production include gospel greats Donald Lawrence, Percy Bady and Daniel Witherspoon.
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Heather Headley- Audience Of One
Trinadad native Heather Headley has a whole lot to be thankful for. Daughter of a pastor, she was constantly surrounded by gospel music as well as performance art. After arriving in America, she began to absorb American music with great diligence and ultimately opening up the canals of Broadway with a heartfelt audition for the Elton John/Tim Rice musical Aida. Her performance as the Nubian princess Aida earned her a Tony Award in 1998. Impressed at her vocal prowess, RCA signed her; leading to her stellar debut This Is Who I Am and her amazing follow-up In My Mind. The latter, anchored by an amazing single and a strong conglomerate of successful producers including Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Warryn Campbell and Shep Crawford, reached number one on the R&B charts and number five pop. After a great deal of success with RCA and both of her albums being certified gold, Headley felt it was time to record a gospel project. While she recognizes that many of her fellow R&B counterparts are also making attempts to record gospel, she doesn’t let that stand in her way from her heart’s desire. On her website, Heather states,”As a first time gospel artist I tried not to be concerned with what other artists were releasing. I just wanted to make God happy. This project was more special because as a Christian, I understand and relate to the lyrics.”
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The Nevels Sisters- Beautiful
With a number of independent projects under their belt and after making appearances with some of the biggest names in gospel music, the Nevels Sisters have received a great deal of buzz and have even earned from their followers the distinctive comparison to the Clark Sisters. Although a name like the Nevels Sisters may feel a bit old fashioned and may give off the southern charm of a soul quartet, the Nevels Sisters are eons away from being just another dated traditional gospel group. On Beautiful, their first venture on the MoLife label, the group slices into a smorgasbord of modern sounds enhanced by the super-sonic keys and hard, in-your-face drum programming from Tommie “Gunn” Walker, Jr. Emmit Nevels III, the group’s brother, composes or co-writes half of the seventeen tracks offered while Walker, Pam English and Marcus Divine handles the rest on board. If you follow liner notes as of lately, you will recognize Walker’s craft being exercised on projects from Marvin Sapp, Ruben Studdard and Fred Hammond but never has he displayed the kind of in-depth creative confidence and the bold moves he introduces in his wall of sound production ethic.
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