Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Modern Worship

We have reached the end of the road. Modern Worship had a whopping 17 entries this quarter. It is the biggest genre of the PVA's and requires the most work. Let's get to it so we can get on with #PlatVnyl7.

Modern Worship

• Bright City - Hello Maker
• Nathanael Bryce - Time Will Come
• Stephen Christian - Wildfires
• Gateway - Monument 
• Inspire Church Worship - Like No Other
• Jesus Culture - Love Has A Name (Deluxe/Live)
• Long Hollow WAVE - Upside Down
• New Hope Oahu - Kingdom (Live)
• Open Heaven - Miracle Maker
• Planetshakers - Legacy
• Red Rocks Worship - Here
• The Rock Worship - God of our Salvation
• Ricardo Sanchez - Taste+ See (Live)
• Anthony and Brittany Shepherd - Revival Nights
• Alisa Turner - Alisa Turner
• Vertical Worship - Vertical Worship
• Vineyard Worship - Vineyard Soul: We Are Ready 

And that finishes off #PlatVnyl8. Time to start the judging process. #PlatVnyl9 has begun with a bang. And soon, The Awards of #PlatVnyl7. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Rock

We are in the penultimate post of our 4th Quarter wrap. I think you all know by now who won the quarter. Let's rock.

Rock Music

• Jordan Feliz - 1 Mic, 1 Take (Live at Capital Studios)
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Untraveled Roads: A Live Album
• Jonny Lang - Signs
• Manafest - Stones
• Kevin Max - Serve Somebody
• John Mark McMillan - Mercury and Lightning
• Needtobreathe -Hardcuts EP
• The Royal Royal -Rococo
• Seventh Day Slumber - Found
• Stavesacre - MCMXCV
• 12 Stones - Picture Perfect
• Third Day - Revival
• Devin Williams - We Are Forever Yours
• Zach Williams - Chain Breaker Deluxe
• XD Out - Better Day

You know what this means. Modern Worship won the quarter (again). That's next. Until Then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter - Rap

The third of the three way tie for 11 entries is Rap and Hip Hop. After we get through this, there are only two more posts left. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hip Hop/Rap

• Sho Baraka - The Narrative, Volume 2: Pianos and Politics
• Brinson - Thornz
• Dillon Chase - Drifting
• Alex Faith - Summer Pack EP
• Phil J - Foreigner
• Lecrae - All Things Work Together
• Shai Linne - Still Jesus
• Loso - Before I Commit 
• Benjamin Rea - Let Me Talk
• Reconcile - Streets Don't Love Ya
• Thi'sl - Levitate

We are down to two. Rock Music is next. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Live Recorded Album

Tied with Adult Contemporary with 11 entries this quarter is Live Recorded Album. It isn't technically a genre, but we do have an award category for it. Let's get to it.

Live Recorded Album

• Jordan Feliz - 1 Mic, 1 Take (Live From Capital Studios)
• Travis Greene - Crossover: Live From Music City
• Jesus Culture - Love Has A Name (Deluxe/Live)
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Untraveled Roads: A Live Album
• Ruth La'Ontra - I Got You
• Sandra McCracken - Steadfast Live
• New Hope Oahu - Kingdom (Live)
• Planetshakers - Legacy (Live In Melbourne)
• Red Rocks Worship - Here (Live)
• Ricardo Sanchez - Taste + See (Live)
• Urban Rescue - City Sessions (Live in Los Angeles)

The list is slightly worship centric, but such is the nature of the format. 11 was a three-way tie, and the third in the group is hip-hop. We will hop over there next time. While you're waiting, why don't you click the links in any of these posts and go to amazon. Buy through the link and support The Night Beat at the same time. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Adult Contemporary

Adult Contemporary is next as we move on through the genres. 11 entries for Elevator Music. Sorry, but I go for things a bit louder. Let's get to it.

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• Kristene DiMarco - Where His Light Was
• Point of Grace - Our Recollections
• Joel Hanson - Let Me Tell You Everything
• Lara Landon - The Never Again
• Matt Maher - Echoes
• Nichole Nordeman - Every Mile Mattered
• Fernando Ortega - The Crucifixion of Jesus 
• Natasha Owens - We Will Rise
• Robert Pierre - Nothing Without You
• Chris Sayburn - Saved By Grace
• Jason Whitehorn - As Long As I Have Breath

Not only do we have a whole boatload of entries, but we have four perfect albums in this list, which means automatic entry into the finals. And we hope to have 7. Can you say genre bracket buster. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Gospel

Tied for "Last Place" among the single genre posts is Gospel. Of course nine entries is nothing to sneeze at. And if you do sneeze at a pool entry you have a really weird allergy. Let's get to it. 

Gospel/R&B

• Anthony Brown & Group Therapy - A Long Way From Sunday
• Ricky Dillard & New G - 10
• Todd Galberth - Decrease
• Deitrick Haddon - Deitrick Haddon and Hill City Worship Camp
• Koryn Hawthorne - Koryn Hawthorne
• Le'Andria Johnson - Bigger Than Me
• Ruth La'Ontra - I Got You (Live)
• Bryan Popin - I Got Out
• Anita Wilson - Sunday Song

Adult Contemporary is next with 11. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr- Pop

We move on to the single genre posts. We begin with Pop music, which had nine entries, which gives you an idea about how many the winner has. Let's get to it. 

Pop Music

• Blanca - Real Love EP
• Life of Carter - Life of Carter
• Quinten Coblentz - Sahara
• Finding Favour - Farewell Fear
• Jamie Grace - 91 
• Jennifer McGill - Unbreakable
• Aryn Michelle - The Realest Thing
• Holly Starr - Human
• Matthew West - All In

This is the least of the single genre posts. When 7 genres exceed the final 7 entries, you know there will be a lot of judging, and that is a good thing. Next up is Gospel, which also had nine entries. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Award 4th Qtr - Electronic Alternative

The final multi-genre post for the final quarter of 2017 is here. After this we still have 7 more posts, but it is all single genre all the time. First though, we have Electronic/Industrial and Alternative to get through. Let's do it.

Electronic/Alternative

• Nathanael Bryce - Time Will Come
• Cool Hand Luke - Cora
• Narrow Skies - Seasons: The Fade

Alternative

• Cool Hand Luke - Cora
• Emerald Hymns - Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
• Kings Kaleidoscope - The Beauty Between
• Pyramid Park - Vulnerability

That does it for the multi-genre posts. We go fewest to greatest for single genre posts from now on, beginning with Pop, which has nine entries this quarter. Yes, it's been that kind of quarter. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

 

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Metal Folk Dance

The Second Multi-genre post comprises Hard Rock/Metal, Folk/Folk Rock, and Dance/Synthpop. We won't waste time with more talk. Let's get to it.

Folk/Folk Rock

• Sandra McCracken - Steadfast Live
• Tyson Motsenbocker - Almira EP

Hard Rock/Metal

• Fleshkiller - Awaken
• Spoken - IX

Dance/Synthpop

• C3 Live - Love So Wild
• Lights - Skin and Earth
• Urban Rescue - City Sessions (Live In Los Angeles)

Only one more multi-genre post to go. Electronic Alternative Is Next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Diamond Rain: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr -Children's Instrumental Compilation

Well it's that time of the year again. It happens 4 times a year. The Quarterly Wrap. And once again we begin with the world famous multi-genre post. Our first post combines compilation album, Children's Music and Instrumental Music. Let's Get to It.

Compilation Album

• Various - My Utmost for His Highest 

Children's Album

• Christy Nockels - Be Held: Lullabies for The Beloved
• Tim Timmons - Who I Am  

Instrumental Album

• Hammock - Mysterium
• Brian and Jenn Johnson - After All These Years Instrumental

And we are off and running. Two more multi-genre posts to go. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: September 2017

This is it. #PlatVnyl8 is finished. And what a month it has been. The Temperature may be cooling off but the music industry is heating up. We really don't have the time to waste. Let's get to it. We start with the songs.

The Singles Scene

• Ashes Remain - Rise 4.75 Emeralds
• Dee Black - Rock (feat Mission 3.75 Emeralds
• Cristabelle Braden - Let The Sun In (Radio Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Lincoln Brewster - No One Like Our God 5 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Right On Time ft Toby Mac 4.50 Emeralds
• Davii - Hills and Valleys 4.50 Emeralds
• Torey D'Shaun - Chopsticks 3.50 Emeralds
• Evanescence - Imperfection 5 Emeralds
• Jerry Fee - Stars 3.50 Emeralds
• For All Seasons - No Other 4.75 Emeralds
• GAWVI - Diamonds ft Jannine Weigel 4.75 Emeralds
• Eric Heron - I-10 3.50 Emeralds
• Dianne Michelle - I Am Healed 5 Emeralds
• Rich Mullins - The Joy of Jesus ft Matt Maher, Mac Powell, and Ellie Holcomb (Posthumous Cover) 4.75 Emeralds
• DJ Mykael V - Diamonds 3.75 Emeralds 
• NF - Let You Down 4.75 Emeralds
• Narrow Skies - Winds of Change 4.75 Emeralds
• Sanctus Real - Changed 4.75 Emeralds
• Heather Schnoor - All In 4.75 Emeralds
• Sivion - Darkness 3.50 Emeralds
• Social Club Misfits - Dive 4.25 Emeralds
• Switchfoot and Lifehouse - Shine Like Gold (Houston Benefit Single) 5 Emeralds 
• John Tibbs - Shepherd ft Sandra McCracken 4.75 Emeralds
• Sierra White - I'll Find You 4.75 Emeralds

Two Dozen (That's 24) song releases to finish it up, and that's after two consecutive months with 17. What a way to finish a year. On to the albums. We begin with those that will not make the pool.

Missing The Mark

• Andre Balboa - Choir Practice EP 3.75 Emeralds
• Alan Cox - The Heart, Acoustic Sessions Vol 1 3.50 Emeralds
• Deraj - Goodish EP 3.75 Emeralds
• Jason Gray - The Acoustic Sessions EP 3.75 Emeralds
• J Lee The Producer - Music Box 3.50 Emeralds
• Terrance McCoy - Transparency 3.75 Emeralds
• Derek Minor - Your Soul Must Fly EP 3.75 Emeralds 
• Lael Turner - Millennial EP 3.50 Emeralds
• Various - Houston Rise: An EP for the Comeback 3.75 Emeralds
• Various - Top 50 Praise Songs Instrumentals 3.75 Emeralds

Now on to the Perfect.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Nathanael Bryce (aka Goshen Sai) - Time Will Come 5 Emeralds
• Kristine DiMarco - Where His Light Was 5 Emeralds
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Untraveled Roads: A Live Album 5 Emeralds
• LIGHTS - Skin and Earth 5 Emeralds
• Cool Hand Luke - Cora 5 Emeralds
• Red Rocks Worship - Here (Live) 5 Emeralds
• The Royal Royal - Rococo 5 Emeralds
• Ricardo Sanchez - Taste + See (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Holly Starr - Human 5 Emeralds

This is a great Month. The Return of Cool Hand Luke (get Of Man). And a complete album from LIGHTS ( the girl can rock as well as dance)

Semi-Precious Metals

• Blanca - Real Love EP 4.50 Emeralds
• C3 Live - Love So Wild 4.50 Emeralds
• Cody Carnes - The Darker The Night/The Brighter The Morning 4.25 Emeralds
• Ricky Dillard and New G - 10 4.50 Emeralds
• Emerald Hymns - Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs 4.50 Emeralds
• Jordan Feliz - 1 Mic, 1 Take EP (Live From Capitol Studios) 4.50 Emeralds
• Fleshkiller - Awaken 4.75 Emeralds
• Todd Galberth - Decrease 4.50 Emeralds
• Gateway - Monuments 4.75 Emeralds
• Felling Giants - We Live By Day EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Inspire Church Worship - Like No Other 4.75 Emeralds
• Phil J - Foreigner 4.50 Emeralds
• Jonny Lang - Signs 4.75 Emeralds
• Ruth La'Ontra - I Got You (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Lecrae - All Things Work Together 4.75 Emeralds 
• Matt Maher - Echoes 4.75 Emeralds
• John Mark McMillan - Mercury and Lightning 4.75 Emeralds
• Aryn Michelle - The Realest Thing 4.75 Emeralds
• Tyson Motsenbocker - Almira EP 4.50 Emeralds
• New Hope Oahu - Kingdom (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Christy Nockels - Be Held: Lullabies for The Beloved 4.75 Emeralds
• Open Heaven - Miracle Maker 4.50 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Legacy 4.75 Emeralds
• Pyramid Park - Vulnerability 4.50 Emeralds
• Matt Redman - Glory Song 4.75 Emeralds
• The Rocks Worship - God Of Our Salvation 4.50 Emeralds
• Marvin Sapp - Close 4.50 Emeralds
• Spoken - IX 4.75 Emeralds
• Stavesacre - MCMXCV 4.75 Emeralds
• Tim Timmons - Who I Am 4.75 Emeralds
• Urban Rescue - City Sessions (Live In Los Angeles) 4.75 Emeralds
• Various - My Utmost For His Highest 4.50 Emeralds 
• Matthew West - All In 4.75 Emeralds
• Jason Whitehorn - As long as I have Breath 4.25 Emeralds
• Zach Williams - Chain Breaker (Deluxe) 4.75 Emeralds

And that does it for #PlatVnyl8. The #PlatVnyl9 Pool Has Now Opened. We are changing things up for the new year. Most of you wont notice a thing, however. Observant people may notice a change in future rewinds, though. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

Music Video Monday: Favor

Welcome to an all new edition of Music Video Monday, the first for August 2017, We are really starting to pick up speed here. We have three great videos for your viewing and listening pleasure. We begin our journey in the rap genre. First up is Beacon Light. This is the music video for his new single I'm In It.
Staying with the rap genre we now go to Reconcile and the music video for his new single Ain't No Way.
Wrapping up (sorry) this edition of Music Video Monday, we go to gospel music. Gospel Music and Rock have led the way to embrace the Word of Faith Message into its music, which is great, since it is Biblical. Deitrick Haddon is singing of Favor (That's Grace To You, my friends)

That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Modern Worship

We have reached the final post for the 3rd Quarter Wrap. Modern Worship Led All Other Genres With 21 Entries. That would be enough for three years. There is always a lot of judging in this category. Let's not waste any more time.

Modern Worship

• Brandon Bee - Songs From The Sky
• Bethel Music - Starlight
• Christ For The Nations Worship - Melody of Love
• The City Harmonic - Benediction (Live)
• Citylovemusic - Citylovemusic
• Covenant Worship - Sand And Stars
• Freedom Worship - The Veil 
• Stu G and Friends - Beatitudes
• Hillsong United - Wonder
• Iron Bell Music - God That Saves
• North Central University Worship Live - Always Remain
• North Point Inside Out - Nothing Ordinary
• North Point Inside Out - Nothing Ordinary Live, Part One
• Rend Collective - Build Your Kingdom Here (A Rend Collective Mixtape)
• Jeremi and Amy Richardson - Winds and Waves (Live From Redding, California)
• Allan Scott - Run To You
• Garett Serban - Anthem EP
• Shane and Shane - The Worship Initiative, Volume 12
• Various - Top 25 Praise Songs (2017 Edition)
• Vineyard Worship - Kyrie Eleison: Anchour Studio Sessions
• Worship Central - Mercy Road

And that does it. The 3rd Quarter is officially completed. The 4th Quarter Beckons. As does the long neglected #PlatVnyl7. The pitfalls of being a one man operation. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.     

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Dance

We are down to the final two genres. Dance and Modern Worship. Dance is next with 12 entrants into the pool. It is not the winner this quarter.

Dance-Synthpop

• Landry Cantrell - Projections
• Robin Damron II - Live Forever
• Abigail Duhon - Abigail Duhon
• Red Letter Hymnal - Coastal Kids
• DJ Kirk - DJ Kirk
• Matty Mullins - Unstoppable
• Matthew Parker - Adventure (Deluxe)
• Jeremy Rosado - Rewind
• Run 51 - This Moment
• South of Royal - Deliverance and Doubt
• Various Artists - Christian Dance Music Vol. 1 (Mixed by FreeG and Emasound)
• Tauren Wells - Hills and Valleys

If you did your math you know that Modern Worship was the big winner. It actually smashed all with 21 entries this past quarter.   Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.  

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Inspirational

Sometimes in the rush of things things get ignored. If you're blessed you discover them before you get things to far out of sequence. Such is the case here. I had just finished with Dance and was about to publish when I found out I had missed Adult Contemporary/Inspirational. Since it fit between the Trio Tie and Dance it was caught just in time. So let us get on with it.

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• Josh Baldwin - The War Is Over
• Jokia - Not Forgotten EP
• Anthem Lights - Hymns
• Sandi Patty - Forever Grateful (Live From The Farewell Tour)
• Kim Walker-Smith - On My Side
• Helen Yousaf - Custodians of Fire

There. Now we are back on schedule. Now Dance is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Rock

Rock finishes are three way tie to start the single genre posts here as we wrap the 3rd Quarter Pool Entries for #PlatVnyl8. After this there are actually only two more genres to go. Let's get to it.

Rock Music

• At The Wayside - The Breakdown and The Fall
• Decyfer Down - Acoustic EP
• Jordan Feliz - The River (Deluxe)
• We Are Leo - The Rush and The Roar
• 68 - Two Parts Viper

Not much to say here. A lot of good choices. Decyfer Down is the latest of bands that have figured out how to Rock Acoustic. It is a good trend. Acoustic doesn't have to be tame. Dance is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Rap

The 3rd Quarter Wrap Continues. Our three way tie goes to the middle genre with Rap. We won't spend any time on small talk and get right to it.

Rap/Hip Hop

• GRITS - Saints and Sinners
• Mali Music - The Transition of Mali
• Propaganda - Crooked
• RAWSRVNT - Shut It Down
• Renaissance Movement Music - Safe House

A few words. It is good to see music from GRITS. They were one of the first Hip Hop artists not named DC Talk that I first heard back in the late 90'. Renaissance Movement Music is a collaborative act that is using all proceeds to establish Safe Houses against Human Trafficking.A much better thing than Safe Zones for Snowflakes. Rock Music is next. Until then, click the links, buy from Amazon and support The Night Beat. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Alternative Metal

The final of our multi genre posts is here From now on it is all single genre. This post combines Alternative Rock and Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. Let's get on with it.

Alternative Rock

• The Classic Crime - How To Be Human
• Foldinglights - Exiles
• Least of These - Wolves

Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

• Dream Collage - Ripple Effect
• Gideon - Cold

That does it for the multi-genre postings. We start next in ascending order with single genre posts. And the first up is Live Recorded Album. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Quarter - Pop Gospel

Sometimes I like tweaking my fellow Christians just a bit. It's so easy to get a rise out of them. Last quarter I did it by combining Alternative Rock and Gospel Music as "Alternative Gospel". Since Gospel is once again among the lower represented genres I will combine it with Pop Music this time to make Pop Gospel. I can just here it now "I will not accept a watered down Pop Gospel". Like I said, It is so easy.

Pop Music

• Lauren Alexandria - Victorious In Love
• Mandisa - Out of the Dark
• Mass Anthem - Through People Like Me
• Willow Stephens - Willow Stephens 

Gospel/R&B

• James Fortune and FIYA - Dear Future Me

Yes these are short, but that's the way it goes. Our final multi genre post is next, and then things start to pick up. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Venus and Mars Are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr: Instrumental Folk Compilation

Welcome to the 3rd Quarter wrap. This covers the music releases for the months of April, May, June of 2017. And we begin with those genres which failed to meet a minimum threshold which we have determined to be 5 entrants. We combine those genres into a series of multi-genre posts. There will be three this quarter. Two genres were not present at all this quarter, those were Children's Music and Remix. Our first multi-genre post will consist of Instrumental Music, Folk/Folk Rock, and Compilation. Let's get to it,

Instrumental Music

• Lowercase Noises - The Swiss Illness

Folk/Folk Rock

• John Ellis - Tells
• Southern Raised - Another World

Compilation Album

• Various Artists - Christian Dance Music Volume 1 (Remixed by FreeG and Emasound)
• Various Artists - Top 25 Praise Songs 

We are underway. Our second multi genre post is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.