The Pulse
of Entertainment: Iconic
Vanessa Bell Armstrong Returns with New Album ‘Today' on Shanachie; Releases Title Track in Advance
(May 14, 2024) - "God told me to," said seven-time Grammy nominated
Vanessa Bell Armstrong about why she is releasing a new album after a long absence. "I'm 70 years old!
But I obeyed..."
The Gospel pioneer obeyed God and on June 21, 2024 the Stellar Award winner releases
her 14th album "Today" (Shanachie Entertainment). With 40 years behind her, she begins another
chapter. Known for successfully combining traditional Gospel with modern Gospel, Vanessa spent a lifetime spreading the Gospel,
which is a message of love.
"It's been 14 years...I'm back,"
she said with a laugh. "(Doing) Whatever God wants me to do."
A
native of Detroit who started singing professionally at the age of 13 with a solo on the single "I'm So Glad" (Savoy
Records) in 1967 on an album of Mattie Moss Clark's Southwest Michigan State Choir. She debuted as a solo artist in 1983 with
an instant hit single, "Peace Be Still" (Onyx Records) with an album of the same name. The next year in 1984 she
released "Chosen" which reached #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Chart. Vanessa Bell Armstrong went on to perform in
Broadway's "Don't Get God Started" (1991), the Spike Lee directed miniseries "The Women of Brewsters Place,"
and the NBC sitcom "Amen."
Armstrong went on to release
many other hits such as "You Bring Out the Best in Me" (Jive Records) in 1987 which included hit single "Press
On." In 1988 she released "Wonderful One" (Jive Records), which offered the hit single "Something Inside
So Strong." In 2001 "Brand New Day" (Tommy Boy Gospel) was released. In 2004 Vanessa Bell Armstrong received
the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gospel Superfest. Then in 2007 "Walking Miracle," (EMI Music) produced by
Smokie Norful was released, which offered the single "Til the Victory's Won" produced by Fred Jerkins, III, and
Rodney Jerkins produced the title track.
Vanessa Bell Armstrong
has an honorary doctorate in Theology (New Dimension University). She has worked with Mattie Moss Clark, Daryl Coley, The
Clark Sisters, Rance Allen, and James Cleveland. She started as a Contemporary Gospel singer but a producer in the early days
had her mix in traditional Gospel, which formed the style she is known for. www.Shanachie.com
The Pulse of Entertainment: Blake Aaron's ‘She's The One' Single Hit #2 on Billboard; Anticipated
‘Love & Rhythm' Album Released
by Dr. Eunice Moseley
(May 10, 2024) - "We've had three... #1 singles," Jazz guitarist
Blake Aaron told me when asked about the new album. "We're working on (promoting) a sixth single which
also went #1 ‘Feel So Right.'"
All the singles
are off his seventh album release "Love & Rhythm" (Innervision Records). Aside from the #1
singles ("Dreamland," "She's the One," and "Feels So Right") this project has a #2 Billboard
single ("She's the One") and a #3 ("Crush").
"Just
got back from New York. I go to Spaghettini's this weekend," he said about his current tour which is promoting the new
album. "I have a lot of stuff (dates) coming up."
The
"Love & Rhythm" album features assistance from David Mann, Trevor Neumann, Donald Hayes, Michael Stever, Bob
Mintzer, Jimmy Reid, Andrew Neu and Nick Lane on horns; Mannings, Tateng Katindig and Carnell Harrell on keyboard; Eric Valentine,
Tony Moore and Will Kennedy on drums, and Mel Brown, Alex AL and Hussain Jiffry on bass. The project was produced by Aaron,
Adam Hawley, and Greg Manning.
"These are people I've worked
with over the years. A couple came up as I was producing it - Bob Mintzer (on sax) and Will Kennedy (on drums)," Blake
informed me.
I asked Blake how he creates his songs and he said,
"Most times I write songs first and match them with a person. Some are for a particular artist. I had Najee's flute playing
in mind for one song. Blake Aaron is still on tour promoting the "Love & Rhythm" album so check out Jazz venues
near you! www.BlakeAaron.com www.InnervisionRecords.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has
an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also
a Public Relations and Business Management Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large)
for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference
(ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 25th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday
April 20, 2024, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles
via Zoom Saturday, November 9 2024. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering
a Professional Industry Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase
and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive
over $19,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.comor to RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email info@ThePulseofEntertainment.com.
