From The Inside Out: December's Good Grooves

5 highlights by Vernessa Mitchell with Ricky Dillard's & G., Andrus, Blackwood & Co., Tonex, Donna McElroy and Arvis Strickling-Jones with Dorothy Norwood.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

The work to complete the last chapter of the book is still on going, but I wanted to share a few tidbits on some of my favorite songs from the brand new #ChurchOfTheGoodGroove playlist that I curated for SoulAndJazz.com! You can listen to the entire playlist here.

1. Vernessa Mitchell with Ricky Dillard & New G.—Higher (1999)

   
   After her stint with High Inergy at Motown, Vernessa Mitchell began recording gospel music on Phil & Brenda Nicholas’ Command Records, earning a Grammy nomination in 1986 for “Blessed Assurance” from her debut album on the label, This Is My Story. In the nineties, she edged full force into contemporary gospel with two albums on Benson Records. When DJ Junior Vasquez remixed two songs from her Destiny album, she ended up becoming hits in clubland. Capitalizing on the success, Vernessa began collaborating with dance music producers throughout the nineties and into the two thousands.

   
   Produced by Steve “Silk” Hurley, “Higher” pairs Vernessa with Ricky Dillard’s New G for an ecstatic seven minutes of pure joy.

2. Andrus, Blackwood and Company—Step Out of the Night (1982)

Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood met as members of The Imperials. Sherman, an early member of Andraé Crouch’s Disciples, had integrated the group in 1972, as the group was in the midst of their evolution out of southern gospel music into contemporary Christian music. Andrus and Sherman became friends and collaborators, and when their tenure with the Imperials ended, they joined forces again as Andrus, Blackwood & Co. They earned a Grammy nomination for their 1978 release, Following You, and became a best-selling group with hits like “I’m Gonna Rise” and “Soldiers of the Light.”

Their 1982 album Step Out of the Night was not their most successful album, but has always been my favorite which captures the moody warmth of early 1980s production.

3. Tonex—One Good Reason (92105 Remix) (2000)

No gospel artist has generated more controversy in the last twenty years than Tonex. His major label debut, Pronounced Toe-nay, had much buzz prior to its release and before it even hit the market, Tonex was regularly deemed “radical” and “eccentric” (see below) because he dared to talk about issues that were rarely discussed openly in gospel music and he did so with contemporary sounds, incorporating hip-hop, rock, jazz with contemporary and traditional gospel influences. “One Good Reason” is a great example of why gatekeepers and audiences alike were both enthralled with and nervous about Tonex’s work.

After his departure from the gospel music industrial complex, he reinvented himself as B.Slade in 2010 and has produced a prolific body of work which can be explored on Bandcamp.

4. Donna McElroy—Undoused Fire (1990)

When I think about albums that did not get their due in contemporary gospel music, Donna McElroy’s solo debut, Bigger World, is at the top of the list. Donna’s vision as a vocalist of staggering ability is one thing, but it is her vision as a songwriter and musician combined with her voice that makes this album such an important one in gospel music’s lexicon. Don’t miss my interview with Donna and my expanded article about this album.

5. Arvis Strickling-Jones feat. Dorothy Norwood—From The Inside Out (1990)

   Light Records’ roster in the early 90s boasted a host of brilliant women artists who were triple threats as vocalists, songwriters and musicians. Arvis Strickling-Jones’ From The Inside Out (produced by Melvin Seals) contains eight power-packed compositions that are full of Holy Ghost power. The album’s title track, which features Dorothy Norwood, is a great example of everything that is great about this album. With Melvin Seals’ organ, Jonathan Dubose’s guitar work, and Joel Smith’s mastery on drums, Arvis and Dorothy are given the perfect foundation to build from, exploring its higher heights and deeper depths.

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