Gotta Have Gospel Gold

By Rene Williams

The Gotta Have Gospel series has been touted as providing “The World’s Top Gospel Artists and Songs”. Including tracks from the hottest artists in the industry, it’s no surprise that the compilations have been a rousing success. Gotta Have Gospel Gold is a musical collage of black Christian music’s platinum and gold selling artists.

The 2-disc set, divided into “On The Street” and “In The House”, spans the diverse textures of gospel music truly providing something for everyone. Praise and worship fans will get their fill with songs like Israel & New Breed’s Not Forgotten, Byron Cage’s I Will Bless The Lord, Stephen Hurd’s Great Praise and Martha Munizzi’s No Limits (Breakthrough). Those who have an affinity for the more contemporary side of the genre will enjoy songs like Tye Tribbett & G.A.’s Victory, Mary Mary’s Believe” and Men of Standard’s I Wil”. Even lovers of Caribbean music have something to look forward to with the Jamaican feel of Clap Your Hands from husband and wife team, Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore and gospel’s reigning Dancehall artist, Papa San, as he contributes More Life.

With the most popular gospel labels teaming up for the collection, it’s no wonder that there’s no shortage of great music here. Other mainstream artists like Kelly Price and Dave Hollister make appearances, too. Price delivers her riveting track “Healing” and Hollister sings his laid-back grooves on I Pray. Paul “PDA” Allen, 21:03, J Moss and Lashawn “Big Shiz” team up with Hollister on the strong, urban-vibed Still Blessing Me. J Moss and 21:03 join together for I’m Sorry and Moss goes solo on Psalm 150.

Old-fashioned church takes center stage on cuts like God Blocked It by Kurt Carr, I Call You Faithful by Donnie McClurkin and Lift Him Up by Hezekiah Walker. The long-awaited Tramaine Hawkins album lends a cut to Gotta Have Gospel Gold with the addition of the Jamie Hawkins/Sunny Hawkins track, Excellent Lord. Listeners will also get a sneak peek from the upcoming CD, We Praise You by The McClurkin Project. The uplifting song, You Are An Awesome God, gives us a taste of what’s to come on their pending CD.

Fans of the ministry of Kirk Franklin will love listening to Hero, featuring Dorinda Clark-Cole and watching the video of Imagine Me, also included on the project. Speaking of Dorinda, the Clark Sister gives us her hit, So Many Times as well. Sneaking in some soul, the CD also features a cut by Jonny Lang and former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald on the retro track, Thankful. This 2-CD set also contains hits by Joe Pace, The Soul Seekers, Virtue, Trin-i-tee 5:7, New Direction and Vickie Winans. This is one to pick up!