Benita WashingtonThe Word Remains
Benita Washington’s sophomore release “The Word Remains” opens up with an En Vouge groove on the title track. Much in line with the Dawn Robinson led “Free Your Mind” the track has a thumping baseline that could easily flow with the “Free Your Mind” chorus. It then moves to a harmonizing tune that is butter smooth and the chorus of “heaven and earth shall pass away but the word of God remains” sails in with a breeze. Produced by Daniel Weatherspoon (Donald Lawrence) and Virgil Straford the project is a solid one with many tracks that showcase the talent of this great new artist. The strong spiritual ballad “Grateful” and the funky snap happy track “Proverbs 31” drives home the powerhouse vocals that allowed Washington to win the Gospel Dream competition back when Bishop Paul Morton was at the helm of the event. This is a good second effort for Washington and one that won’t disappoint her fans.




Dewayne WoodsMy Life’s Lyric
Dewayne Woods is back with his second project and proves that the apple really doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Opening up with the Douglas Miller “Living on the Top” Woods flavors this tune much in the style that his mentor Donald Lawrence has used over the years including the usual talk, call and singing method that makes a Tri-City joint what it is. He moves on to a great ballad with “I Won’t be Afraid” and that is where he steps out of the shadow of Lawerence as his silky vocals caress this tune brilliantly. He then shines even more with the tunes “Still Here” which features the Lawrence signed group “The Murrills and “It Might Be Hope” whose lyrics speak of the hope that God gives us all for the plans He has for us. Yeah…the second time around can really be a good one for fans of the artist and Woods makes sure that this project is worth a second listen…or a third for that matter. Learn more about DeWyane Woods at www.myspace.com/dewanyewoods