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That’s going to take some time, but it’s worth it. A lot of those stories will still be relevant for quite a while yet, and it will be a shame to just abandon them on the old site.

Poll 2008
Anyway, on to the main reason for this. You probably know that I ran a poll late in 2008, listing CDs that had sold at least 3 copies on UKGShop.com, and offering them up for you guys to vote for your favourite.

Well, the results are in (actually the vote closed way back in January). Much of it was as we'd have all expected, but I’m also rather bemused at a couple of spikes in the graph. Let's just say there were some interesting trends.

So without further ado, here’s what those of you that voted with your mouse clicks were saying:

UKGShop.com - Favourite CD Of 2008 (in ascending order)

Faith Child – I Like It, Royal Priesthood – Village Nation, Chosen – That’s Not Funny.
Total: 0% of the vote
   I say: I’m shocked. I love all three CDs.
  All of them had some great songs!!!
  Chosen was one my early favourites for 08!!
  But... zero percent of the vote??

…And I thought you lot knew good UK music…

Victizzle – I Pray, Ryan Carty – Journey To Purpose, Elizabeth – Handle It.
Total: 4% of the vote
  I say: once again what were you thinking!?
  Ryan’s ‘Gratitude’ is an instant classic in
  the true sense of the word, and Victizzle’s ‘I
  Pray’ is one of those tunes that will be at
  home on both specialist gospel radio and
  mainstream RnB shows!
And only 4% of you voted for it?? Big up to those of you that voted for Elizabeth’s 'Handle It', (with production from Wez Er Nate). I applaud your taste in good music. 

But you can see a pattern emerging. All tracks so far are on an RnB/Soul vibe, and everyone knows the buzz for 2008 was around the Street Music/Grime sound.

So: I forgive you all… Anyway, moving on...

Simply Andy Presents The Good News, Triple O: Grime 2 Gospel, Sammy G: Plain An Simple, Jay Ess: Who’s That Boy.
Total: 7% of the vote

I say: I was surprised about Jay Ess’ ‘Who’s That Boy’ appearing here. It’s not that it isn’t a good CD, but I didn’t know that many of you were fans of the EP.

Jay Ess is one of my all-time favourite artists for melding scripture and Street Music. I've since discovered that Triple O's Grime 2 Gospel has a strong following on the underground. Plain An Simple and The Good News deserve MOBO nominations in my view! Next!

Tryumf: Mark Of The Peace EP
Total: 11% of the vote

  I say: again I was very surprised at this result.
 
  Mark of The Peace is an excellent release, but considering the fact that
  Tryumf spent the latter part of the year in the US, and the EP came out
  relatively early in the year, I didn’t expect it to register that high in the vote…

Shows how good that CD is, though. Looking forward to the full album. Shouldn't be too long now...

New Direction Crew: In The Saviour’s Shadow
Total: 14% of the vote

  I say: well, no surprises here. All things being equal this should get a MOBO
  nomination for 2009, almost regardless of whatever else is due out this year.
  It’s that good.

So, in the top spot...
The CD that gathered the highest number of votes with 39% (more than double that of the second-place CD)….

Guvna B: The Narrow Road.

  I say: As Guvna B himself will tell you: I’ve had countless arguments
  with him about delays on my reorders of this CD. They were flying
  out of the door almost as quickly as I was getting them in. (“,)

  The CD is so popular that on more than one occasion buyers had to
  wait for back orders (in fact I’m waiting on a new batch now from
  before Christmas).

The Narrow Road is the archetypal UK gospel underground CD with pure commercial appeal. And - best of all - it wears its UK heart proudly on its sleeve.

So there you have it. I think I’ll do a radio show based around this soon (you should be listening to it by April at the latest if I do get round to doing it). In the meantime, thanks to all of you that voted. In voting for your favourite you’ve helped highlight the quality music coming out of the UK scene and as a result pointed other people in the direction of good UK gospel music!

Interestingly enough, no one took me up on the offer for 2 free CDs just for voting.

All you had to do was send in your name and address to qualify for the draw.
What can I say…? Always read the whole story. It wasn't even in small print!!
See you in early 2010 for the 2009 vote, God willing…

LINKSUKGShop.comMore info: vote detail on UKGBlog

VOTE BREAKDOWNChosen, Faith Child, Royal Priesthood: 0 votesVictizzle, Ryan Carty, Elizabeth: 1 voteTriple O, Simply Andy, Sammy G, Jay Ess: 2 votesTryumf: 3 votesNew D Crew: 4 votesGuvna B: 11 votes

Total votes: 29 

(P.S. that’s such a small number, considering the
amount of you that visit UKGShop.com – so fix up for
the 2009 vote!)

Inspirational | Soulful | Jazz | African

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Yinka Awojobi

Founder, UKG/ UKGospel.com group of sites. 

I really didn't want my picture here, but I'm bowing to pressure.

George Luke

Freelance journalist, all-round nice guy.

Has a weird obsession with international gospel music.

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