Bobby Jones

by Keisha Y. Simmons

Dr. Bobby Jones has been a Gospel music staple for decades, and is credited as one of the architects behind the genre's explosion. He's best known to television audiences as the host of Bobby Jones Gospel, the Sunday morning program on BET, where he performs with new and veteran Gospel musicians.

It's no surprise then, that he's brought together a virtual "who's who" of Gospel music (and R&B and urban contemporary) to join him on The Ambassador, which hit the streets November 20. Not only is it a collection of traditional, urban, and contemporary praise and worship cuts, it's also chock-full of collaborations with some of today's biggest Gospel charters.

Collaboration is the key to the album's success – it's on those tracks where The Ambassador shines. Can't Nobody with Karen Clark-Sheard offers a powerful message about God's love over a catchy beat. Thank You Lord featuring PAJAM production team member J. Moss, who also happens to be a natural with a microphone, is sure to appeal to younger audiences. He Alone Knows, fronted by Darwin Hobbs, takes traditionalists back home to Sundays past. And veteran vocalist Shirley Murdock lends her strong voice to the powerful and moving tribute King of Kings. The Ambassador is truly strongest on the joint efforts, such as the update to the classic The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow – penned by Thomas Dorsey (and recorded earlier by Dorothy Norwood and Hezekiah Walker) – with the Nashville Super Choir, with the exception of Dr. Jones' Dr. Jesus, which also carries weight.

While The Ambassador offers up something for everyone, it's the cuts where he lets others take over that deliver the most for listeners. 

bobbyjonesgospel.com

More Street Date...