Best Gospel Albums of 2010…So Far

Looking for the latest and the best of the year when it comes down to inspiration? Well, look no further. We’ve composed a brief list containing the best thus far in gospel music. Don’t fret though, the year isn’t over yet. More entries are bound to make the cut. In the meantime, let us begin, shall we.

Marvin Sapp
Here I Am

The new album from the former Commissioned singer is breaking even more record than his best-selling Thirstyalbum. Due to the success of the R&B-crossover hit “Never Would Have Made It,” Marvin Sapp launches forward with an incredible set of inspiring anthems – like “The Best In Me” – and funky powerhouse numbers on Here I Am. Songs like the title cut, “Fresh Wind,” “Wait” and “Don’t Count Me Out” are sure to be radio sensations in months to come. It’s a far better album than Thirsty; tossing out the long worshippy cuts and going for what he does best – revival-like ad-libs on top of touching ballads and energetic contemporary numbers.

James Fortune & FIYA
Encore

With a set of gospel hit singles (including 2008′s “I Trust You”) already in his pocket, James Fortune and his group FIYA aim high on their latest work, Encore. While the rap meister, a la Kirk Franklin, talks his way through most of the cuts like a caffeine-fueled emcee, Fortune is blessed with a delicious ride of contemporary gospel done in the traditions of gospel greats like Israel Houghton and John P. Kee (“You Are Here,” “The Greatest”). Then there’s the brilliantly-mastered urban cuts (“Can’t Stop,” “Bounce Back”) – thick enough to work a hardcore nightclub. The ballads remains Fortune’s forte as he passionately renders songs like “Draw Me,” “I Need Your Glory” and the title cut.

Karen Clark-Sheard
All In One

The packaging may be a bit on the dull side and the music is a slight detour from what we normally expect from the Grammy-award winning Clark Sister, but All In One is a fun adventure nevertheless. Containing a healthy mix of urban contemporary grooves (“Crazy Praise,” “Good,” “He Knows”) and a few Sunday morning teasers (“Blessings,” “Prayed Up”), the project stands as a major improvement from the all-worship album Its Not Over. This time around, Clark-Sheard relies on the comforts of her family (Kierra Sheard, J Moss, Dorinda Clark-Cole, J. Drew Sheard) and her developing niche’ of songwriting to help make this project work.

PJ Morton
Walk Alone

Son of a renowned preacher, PJ Morton is a skilled pupil of the old-school. He’s picked up lessons from a versatile set of musical fields including soft rock, classic soul and, of course, gospel. On Walk Alone, he serenades his R&B fans with tunes like “Forever,” “Girlfriend” and the reggae-tinged duet with Tweet on “Love You More.” But he uncovers his gospel roots on the encore edition of “Let Go (Let God)” (featuring a special guest duet with his father, Bishop Paul S. Morton) and on the inspiring “Mountains and Molehills”. The soul singer, who recently made headlines for his stance on recording gospel and mainstream music on CNN, also pens an open letter aimed at his critics on “Son of a Preacherman.”

J Matthew Cobb is the editor-at-large of the Birmingham-based online publication PRAYZEHYMN Online.com. He is also a contributor writer and music critic for SoulTracks.com and UrbanhamFaith.

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