“I Choose You”
Marjane’
J Jane Music( release date: September 19, 2019)
www.marjanemusic.com
By Bob Marovich -
Journal of Gospel Music
Many gospel music enthusiasts know Marjane’ (pron. Mar-ja-nay) from her many awards appearances, but the Journal of Gospel Music keyed in on her vocal talent ten years ago with the release of her sophomore album,
Won’t Let Go. “I Choose You,” Marjane’s latest single, is the latest example of her breezy, quiet storm style of sacred music. She expresses her love for God in a chill ‘90s retro soul mode complete with smooth BGVs and a deliberately understated rhythm section, synth, and electric piano. It might well be Marjane’s best single to date.
Marjane’
Grateful
J Jane Music Group (2012)
www.marjanemusic.com
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
Stellar-nominated singer-songwriter Marjane’ (pron. Mar-Jan-Ay) of Hawthorne,California, wrote that her new eleven-song project, Grateful, “is part of a journey that’s had some rough and joyous times."
From the opening and title track, the album pays tribute to that journey, although the tenor of the project, lyrically and musically, leans toward gratitude for the overcoming.
The opening salvo of shoulder-shaking gratitude commences a string of cool down praise songs rendered in Marjane’s confident, pop-inflected voice and bathed in laid-back urban AC. The album includes her recent single, “Walking In Favor,” on which she longs to walk under the protection of the Most High.
Grateful provides Marjane’ fans with the breezy, West Coast inspirational grooviness that marks her music, but at the same time, it remains firmly in place without offering glimpses of the creative envelope-pushing of which the winsome singer seems capable. Two exceptions are “You Can Do It” and “Beautiful You.” Featuring gospel rapper Survivor Que, “You Can Do It” is the inspirational ode its title suggests, and the melody is equally compelling. “Beautiful You,” which closes the project, is a heartwarming ballad of feminine affirmations that would have had even more impact had it been placed earlier in the album’s sequence.
Interestingly, the one-minute “Oh Medley” would make a fine introduction to a song. I’ve listened to this snippet three times now, and each time I expect a song to begin. Perhaps in the future this intro will be matched with an equally compelling melody.
Marjane’s West Coast praise style is well represented on Grateful, though her 2009 project, Won’t Let Go, still represents her finest work to date.
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “You Can Do It,” “Beautiful You.”
Won't Let Go
Marjane’
Won’t Let Go J Jane Music Group (release date: July 28, 2009) www.marjanemusic.com Earning a first round Stellar Award nomination for Best New Artist for her debut album, Keys to My Heart, Marjane’ (pron. Mar-jan-ay) offers a second helping of her breezy west coast sound on Won’t Let Go. The sophomore album from Hawthorne, California’s Marjane’ is extremely pleasant listening, a mixture of light and airy melodies, body-swinging dance club rhythms and fresh R&B vocals. While some gospel artists send congregations to shouting fits, Marjane’ gets congregants dancing and swaying in the spirit. As such, Marjane’ is similar in style to other young artists such as Coko and Tonya Hairston Ware. The songs are a collaboration between Marjane’ and producer Marvin Paige. They range from the extended mellow ballad “Holy Spirit” to dance tracks such as “Get Your Breakthrough” and “Can’t Nobody” (as in “can’t nobody do me like Jesus”), complete with effective male rap interlude (artist not credited in the liner notes). Won’t Let Go is not gut-wrenching, heart-rending, emotion-soaked gospel; the lyrics are upbeat, confident and hopeful, ranging from praise and worship to overcoming struggles to grasping the golden ring of life. “This Joy” is the opening track, current hit-bound single and the album’s finest moment. Like an overture of what’s to come, “This Joy” captures all of the smiling bounce of Won’t Let Go in four minutes and fifteen seconds. Small wonder this independent artist received a Stellar nod: listening to Marjane’ is as refreshing as hearing Pacific Ocean waves lapping on the California shore and feeling the mist of the water on your skin. Four of Five Stars July 26, 2009 Bob Marovich Black Gospel Blog www.theblackgospelblog.com |
Keys to my Heart
The next Gospel artist for you to watch explode onto the Music Ministry scene, goes by the beautiful name of Marjane' pronounced (mar ja nay). Her new CD project "Keys to My Heart", is without a doubt, the best new CD from a Christian female vocalist I have heard to date. I know I may of said that previously in GSM, but, that all changed when I heard Marjane'. It is sometimes impossible to review something, that is beyond reviewing, rating, or constructively |
