Night Beat Rewind: April 2017

We are slowly climbing out of the hole we found ourselves in at the beginning of this year. As the saying goes, the first thing to do is to stop digging. I think we can say that we did that. After this we still have the Second Quarter Wrap to do, and Keep Up With the May Releases, and continue with the Nominations for #PlatVnyl7. You see what I mean? We begin our April wrap with the songs, and were there a boatload.

The Singles Scene

• Deraj - Way Up 3.75 Emeralds
• Jamie Grace - The Happy Song 4.75 Emeralds
• I Am They - Crown Him 4.75 Emeralds
• J-Heir - Reloaded 5 Emeralds
• Gospel Lee - Reset 4.50 Emeralds
• Derek Minor - Change The World Remixes feat Hollyn 4.75 Emeralds
• Branan Murphy - All The Wrong Things (feat Koryn Hawthorne) 4.75 Emeralds
• Natasha Owens - I am Loved 5 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Nowhere 4.75 Emeralds
• Kristina Schell - Pharisee 4.75 Emeralds
• Third Day - Revival 4.75 Emeralds
• Tony Tillman - Granny's Couch 3.75 Emeralds
• Transform DJ's - Never Alone 4.50 Emeralds 

Count them. That is 13 official singles (some are "EPs" with several versions of the same song, so the actual number is higher). It is enough for a Deluxe album, which is a nice segue  for our next group, albums which did not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• BRVNDONP and Mission - Barely Finished 3.50 Emeralds
• Mike Clements - The Layover 43.50 Emeralds
• Lawren - As You Pass, Go EP 3.75 Emeralds
• Light The Way - Dude, Lame 3.75 Emeralds
• Leslie McKee - Another Mile 3.75 Emeralds
• Mogli The Iceburg - Tumultu 3.50 Emeralds  
• Nothing Left - Destroy and Rebuild EP 3.75 Emeralds
• Angie Rose - Sippin Coffee In The Bakery 3.50 Emeralds 
• RVN Band - Dancing Season 3.25 Emeralds
• Spence 4hire - Make Noise EP 3.50 Emeralds
• Oscar Urbina - MP2: Darkness 3.75 Emeralds
• Various - The Case For Christ (Songs Inspired By The Original Motion Picture) 3.75 Emeralds   

A full dozen in the rejected category. Of course when I say rejected, I mean from awards consideration. Most of the albums in this group are OK, just not great. On to the great, and that is an understatement this month.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Bethel Music - Starlight 5 Emeralds
• Stu G and Friends - Beatitudes 5 Emeralds
• Matty Mullins - Unstoppable 5 Emeralds
• Kim Walker-Smith - On My Side 5 Emeralds
• Various - Christian Dance Music Vol. 1 (Mixed by FreeG and Emasound) 5 Emeralds

An over 2-1 margin rejected/perfect is a great sign. One note, it takes more than saying "I want to dance" over and over again to make a dance album. RVN band could take a few lessons from FreeG and company. Stu G (Stuart David Garrard) is the former Guitarist for British Supergroup Delirious? Now on his own, he has assembled an excellent group of Friends (Audrey Assad, Amy Grant, All Sons and Daughters, and former bandmate Martin Smith). It is a must have album. Now, finally, to the albums which fall in between.    

Semi-Precious Metals

• Lauren Alexandria - Victorious In Love EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Anthem Lights - Hymns 4.50 Emeralds
• Citylovemusic - Citylovemusic EP 4.75 Emeralds
• The Classic Crime - How To Be Human 4.75 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - Sand and Stars 4.50 Emeralds
• DJ Kirk - DJ Kirk 4.75 Emeralds
• Freedom Worship - The Veil 4.50 Emeralds
• Har Megiddo - Pressure 4.75 Emeralds
• North Central University Worship Live - Always Remain 4.50 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - Nothing Ordinary EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Jeremi and Amy Richardson - Wind And Water 4.75 Emeralds
• South of Royal - Deliverance and Doubt EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Garett Serban - Anthem EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - The Worship Initiative, Volume 12 4.50 Emeralds

That is it. April is in the bag. Yahoo. Considering I had to re-rate the entire month after I lost my initial notes getting things done and posted within the first half of May is a minor miracle. I'll take it. No time to sit back and celebrate. There is still a lot of work to be done. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.