Smokie Norful Live, is the fourth project from the Grammy Award-winning artist. With this his first live album, Pastor Smokie Norful, Senior Pastor of Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Chicago, Illinois, imparts a message of hope, praise, love, and justification.

The project begins with the opening proclamation that “God’s Gonna Do It” (featuring Tye Tribbett) to the Sunday morning anthem “I Will Bless The Lord,” to “Jesus Is Love,” (featuring Heather Headley) which is a heartfelt cover of the hit song recorded by the Commodores and written by Lionel Richie, to the first single, “Justified,” an appropriate and undeniable hit song of forgiveness. Smokie Norful Live offers its listeners a true Sunday Morning experience, and ushers you into the presence of the King.

As expected, the project is well written, well produced and unquestionable well delievered by Pastor Smokie Norful’s signature vocals.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

Coko Wins With The Winner In Me

With this her third gospel project, Coko seems to be settling more more into the fabric of the gospel community. Her latest rendering, "The Winner In Me", which was released this week captures an array of songs for all ages.

The lead single, “Wait,” caught my ear prior to my even knowing that it was a single. This song is a modern day traditional choir song. Choirs across the country are sure to be singing this blessing to the body.

The title cut of the album, “The Winner In Me,” is an awesome mid-tempo driving song that uplifts the listeners spirit as you listen.

“Make A Way” is a riveting contemporary up tempo track driven song that is laced nicely with both slamming lead and background vocals. As a special added treat, listeners our further blessed with a feature from Canton Jones. I believe that this song could very well provide a strong showing for Coko on the CCM side.

With “Rescue Me,” Coko creates a new genre of music, easy listening gospel. This a well written, well produced song and Coko hits a home run with her delivery of the song.

“May Be My Last Time” is slammin’! I listened to the song 5 times in a row. This also promises to be “anthem” added to the repertoire of choirs across the country. With its catchy lyric, and beat you can’t help but join in on singing the song.

If her label, management team and marketing/PR team work in concert with one another, this album should garner great acclaim.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.

The One King Who Won’t Ever Die

By Derrick Wade July 10, 2009 8:00 am

1 Timothy 6:15-16 (New Living Translation)

For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

Psalm 113:5-6 (New Living Translation)

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
who is enthroned on high?
He stoops to look down
on heaven and on earth.

Matthew 5:4 (New Living Translation)

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

The Kings of Rock,

Rock & Roll,

Gospel,

Soul,

and now Pop are all gone;

but the King of Kings still sits high and looks low, and He will heal us all as we mourn.

Derrick L.Wade is a Life Coach for Gospel Music on www.Elev8.com. You can visit him at www.derricklwade.com.