Great Jazz: Music That MOOOOVES Your Groove (in the Right Direction)

Music has the ability to penetrate deep into a person's heart, which is why it's so important for the Believer to guard her/his heart from frivolous, meaningless, vain and, especially, from blasphemous music. I truly believe that the spirit of the singers and musicians is transferred into their music. So, listening to bad music is bad enough. However, listening to bad music, with a bad message/spirit behind it, can move your life in the wrong direction. As a wise person has said:

What you're paying the most attention to now (i.e., music, tv, movies, etc.) will determine the course of your life for the next several years.

Music is in my blood, so I think it moves/impacts me even more because of this. We have musicians and singers in our family, in addition to avid music fans, and now I am also raising my children to be music lovers. I love all kinds of genres, from R&B to Classical to Hip Hop to "light" Country. However, my favorite has always been jazz. Good smooth jazz can instantly carry my soul/mind to a place of relaxation and peace.

Even moreso, when great music flows from the spirit of an Heir of the Most High God and has great lyrics based on His Biblical truths, it also touches & moves my spirit like nothing else can. I have been trained to know what quality music is. And I've come to a place in life where the spirit behind that music is even more important to me than the music itself. This is something that my husband and I are also teaching our children.

As the first featured jazz artist in this series of blog posts, let me introduce a man of God who has fans all over the world, and is also an Atlanta jazz scene favorite...

Jeff Sparks' jazz saxophone is SMOOOOVE -- so smooth that it mooooves your groove; and in the right direction, too! My husband and I have had the pleasure of seeing Jeff live in ballrooms, at Universoul Circus, at church and more. He knows how to finesse a crowd no matter where he's at. His music comes from his heart and leaves us feeling inspired, encouraged, calmed, and romantic, too.

I literally just got my download of Jeff's single "Paradise" from his new album "Love.Life.Soul." I've been listening to it on his site and getting my groove on, so I was overjoyed that they made it available today. See the link under the album artwork below to download it today from Amazon.com for less than $1.

Also, here is what Jeff has to say for himself about his music and ministry...

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Question and Answer

Q: Name Your 3 Main Musical Influences

Jeff: 1. John "Valentino" Gary (sax player for the Whispers)

2. Sammy Davis Jr./ Cab Calloway

3. Grover Washington

Q: What is the key Biblical scripture that guides your music ministry?

Jeff: Dueteronomy 28: 1-14 then put the brakes ON

Q: What is your favorite song from your own discography that best reflects your mission in the music world?

Jeff: I don't have a favorite.... I just love to create an atmosphere where burdens can be removed, miracles can take place and or the word can be delivered in a sweatless manner.

Q: Who do you recommend, from within the local community of musicians, as the best jazz musician who is spreading the Love of Christ Jesus?

Jeff: On a local scene: guitarist John "Fitz" McGill can make it do what it do.

Q: Is there anything I didn't ask that you'd also like to share with the UnderstandJesusMusic.com audience?

Jeff: Just be prepared to have fun if [when] you come and see me in concert. Relax and enjoy Life....... Jesus is on his way back for a blessed people not a stressed people. :)

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Jeff Sparks' new album releases March 23, 2010

"Love.Life.Soul."

Arrow Records

Available Now! "Paradise"

[Click the link above right now to preview and download the single instantly on Amazon.]

"Truly this is great music that helps you moooove your groove in the right direction!"

- D. Johnson

Check back soon on UnderstandJesusMusic.com for our next featured jazz artist.

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Upcoming! Jazz Profiles

Announcement:

Over the next several weeks, I'll be profiling jazz artists who seek to help others understand Jesus better.

Who are your favorite jazz artists? Please leave a comment.

Congrats to Baby Condrey: Corey and Joann's New Little Girl

Congratulations to Coco Brother - Jesus Baby (Corey Condrey) and his beautiful songstress wife, Joann Rosario Condrey on the birth of their beautiful new little princess in Zion.

Shalom to you all -- may nothing be missing nor broken in any area of your lives.

Thank you for what you do here in Atlanta and in the Christian music world. You are truly changing lives in the name of Love in Christ Jesus

http://UnderstandJesusMusic.com

Love - Truly What the World Needs Now and Always

One of my favorite songs of all times, no matter who has sung and/or recorded it, is:

What the world needs now, is love, sweet love, it's the only thing, that there's just, too little of...no not just for some, but for everyone...

I have found several different versions of it, and, aside from Karen Carpenter's, I think my favorite is definitely Wynona Judd's.

Over the past several months I have shared about my favorite music, movies and more on this site [UnderstandJesusMusic.com] and on my other blogs. Generally speaking, I love LOVE and artists, singers, writers, music, movies, dancers and any other creative form of expression that spreads love -- an understanding of real unconditional love.

Jesus is love and without Him, all other forms of love have no root. They're all fleeting and phony without God's Agape love in the midst of them.

The unconditional agape love that God gave us in Christ Jesus can not be counterfeited. As the saying goes, often imitated, but it can only be replicated by those who are genuinely in Christ Jesus (born-again / saved believers).

So, that's why this site is devoted to promoting music and other art forms by those who are in Christ Jesus who have a common mission of spreading God's Agape Love to the whole world, just as God has commanded Christians (Little Christs) to do.

Enjoy your weekend and remember that:

Love, Real Love, is as Love (Jesus) gives -- no strings, unconditionally.

(See John 3:16 and 10:10)

Moving Music and Acting - "Preacher's Kid"

The music and acting in "Preacher's Kid" truly moved me and kept my attention for the entire time I watched. This is a very well-written story and a well-directed movie full of actors and actresses, singers and musicians who are experienced and excellent. It is a feature film production that premiered this past week and started showing in major theaters just yesterday.

Since it was our 10th anniversary, this film gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate at the AMC theater at Southlake mall in Morrow, GA on Friday. The listing of theaters is on the preacherskidmovie website.

As I watched, I kept seeing faces that I recognized and was pleasantly surprised that some less famous actors (from my church) were also in this blessed film. I also enjoyed seeing some familiar locations in this film from my city, Atlanta.

I am providing my honest feedback on this film so that picky movie-goers, like me, will know what to expect; and I don't plan to spoil it for you all, so don't be afraid to keep on reading.

The cast in this film was a mixture of familiar and less well-known faces. Evenso, the acting was above par, compared to other films I have seen that included such a mix of actors. Apparently, the director, Stan Foster, is skilled at helping his cast to mesh together and form one cohesive unit that flows well together and in their individual roles. I am not saying that every bit of acting in this movie was great, but I am saying that, overall, they did a great job.

The storyline is familiar to many Christian movie-goers: the story of a prodigal child. This is no surprise and is the main premise used in the promos for this show. So, no spoiler here. 8)

However, the story has a few twists and turns that I haven't seen in many other Christian movies who try to get the PG rating. This film is PG-13 for a reason. I won't say much more than that on this topic. 8)

Because the film is delivered in a more detailed and complex way than some similar Christian films, it held my interest from beginning to end. I feel that they did a great job, in the cutting room, of not leaving out important scenes that build the detail to support the storyline and to keep me emotionally engaged. (I get bored with most movies easily.) I have seen so many movies that I feel cut out too many scenes and leave out too much detail, so BRAVO to Gener8xion Entertainment in this regard.

The lead actress playing Angie King, is the singer LeToya, a well-known R and B singer-songwriter (currently solo and formerly of Destiny's Child). She has been building her acting career for several years, however this is her first lead in a feature film. She has the voice of an angel, is beautiful, and is talented at connecting with her co-cast members and the audience. Though she's not as experienced as some of the other actors in this film, she carries the lead role with excellence. According to an insider's blog, she was not the original pic for the lead role, though, obviously, she was the right lead in the end.

One of the main supporting actresses, Essence Atkins, is a familiar face from tv and movies since the '80's. She's most well-known as the cute and spoiled younger sister of two half-sisters in the UPN show "Half and Half", currently in syndication on CW. Her role, as the new best friend (Peaches) of the prodigal daughter, is vital to this film. The connection between these two young ladies helps to infuse us with hope as we see the prodigal progress through her trials.

The lead male actor, the preacher and father of the prodigal, is also a well-known actor, Gregalan Williams. He is most well-known from "The District" tv show as the boyfriend of the character played by the late and very great actress and activist Lynn Thigpen. He was also hailed as a hero by the Los Angeles media for saving someone during the LA riots many years ago. In addition to being an accomplished actor, he is a very good writer and maintains his own blog. Check out his insider's view on the film on his blog.

The second male lead, the new boyfriend Devlin, is played by Tank (Durrell Babbs) a well-known recording artist, musician and producer in the R and B industry. He is very believable and does a great job of pulling the audience deeply into the storyline.

The main male supporting character, the old boyfriend Wynton, was played by Sharif Atkins. Sharif is well-known from the later seasons of ER as Dr. Michael Gallant who went off to join the military and died in the Iraq war. He is also one of my homeboys - he's from Chicago. In this film, he delivers a performance that I feel is well worthy of an Oscar-nomination. I would not be surprised if we hear of several nominations for different awards soon. He has big talent and is truly overdue to be recognized for it on a larger scale. In this film, for the first time that I know of, Sharif is able to showcase his strong vocal and musical abilities. This man can blow! That was a great surprise.

One of the most familiar faces was that of Clifton Powell (actor-comedian) who played the character of Ike - the tough producer-director of the gospel show. As usual, he delivered a very believable and excellent performance. His character was another that, at times, supported and helped the prodigal on her journey, though in more of a "tough love" kind of way -- so he became more like her "new father" on the road.

Overall, "Preacher's Kid" is a very believable Christian film for adult movie-goers who enjoy a storyline with substance that also promotes Bible-based values, in addition to common sense. I like that combination because it is more real than some of the more ethereal Christian movies which sometimes feel a bit too utopic / unrealistic / unauthentic in their approach to promoting Bible-based values.

Some might call this an African-American or Black movie. Despite this, many people of many kinds of backgrounds would easily be able to relate to this film because all Christians are God's children and prone to wander. However, the Lord Jesus' blood has given us all THE way back to God, when we are willing to repent. God sent Jesus for us all. (See John 3:16)

One thing that has been a disappointment to me during my research of this great film: they don't seem to have released the soundtrack separately from the film. Also, I have seen no mention of whether or not they plan to release it in any form. If you know any information along these lines, feel free to leave a comment on this blog post, along with a relevant link. [Not an invitation for spam. 8) ]

That is my two-cents-worth for now, however, you really need to go see it for yourself and form your own opinions. Check out the theater listings on the movie website.

View the movie trailer for "Preacher's Kid" below:




*Fan Page for Preacher's Kid
*Facebook Fan Page for UnderstandJesus.org

"Fallen In Love" with Darlene McCoy

Oh I've "Fallen In Love" with Darlene McCoy! She has such smooth vocals and heart piercing (and tear jerking) lyrics -- along with some of the best quality music you can find in the gospel industry.

Her self-titled album released in 2007 has the diversity of music stylings that I crave but also does not let me down in the inspiration department.

It's hard to choose favorites on this great album, so I'll just call the following my list of highlights:

Fallen In Love (EP)
*a true love ballad to the Lord, true spiritual worship - so in love with this song for the lyrics and for the awesome acoustic guitar that you can hear throughout the entire song; BEAUTIFUL!

Finally
*Darlene is a superb ballad songstress; another beautiful song of worship that speaks forth the truth of God's Word and helps to remind us of who we are in Christ Jesus

I Believe
*a strong hip hop beat, rhythm and rhyme at its finest, with lyrics giving glory to God and helping listeners to understand Jesus more

I Wanna Thank You
*a heavenly, funky FRESH remake of Chante Moore's song (No offense C, but I like D's version better!)


As a married Christian woman, I am always looking for music that can set the mood while alone with my Dear Husband, but that still inspires my spirit with great lyrics. Sis. Darlene definitely delivers on the romantic music level, as well.

Take a Listen! Amazon gives free previews of her songs, along with customer ratings, and instant mp3 downloads for less than $1 per song (works with most pc's and digital audio devices, including ipods).

In addition to her personal music career, Darlene has won Atlanta's hearts as our favorite inspirational midday dj on the Praise 102.5FM team. She has been bringing us some of the best interviews available on the radio -- including an awesome interview with Brian Courtney Wilson to help debut his "Just Love" album.

I am so looking forward to watching Darlene's continued success and enjoying more great quality music. Thanks for all you are doing, Sis. Darlene!

Learn more about me and Connect with me online:
http://me.wwahhmpreneur.com/

Keep On Doing Great Things - CaJo's Free Offer

Canton Jones' youtube subscribers [youtube.com/user/CAJOTVINC] can see this new video of his appearance on the Ricky Smiley show. It was most definitely a praise party up in there!

At CantonJones.net, you can also download a free audio copy of this song. I am not sure how long this offer will last, so get it while it's hot.
This is one of our most favorite praise songs of all times because...

God just keeps doing great things! [In the summer, we posted our own praise dance for this song on youtube, also, with Arrow Records' preview permission.]



See video below or on the channel: