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DEITRCK HADDON - 7 DAYS
out of 5
Written By: Krystal Lynch - Raleigh, NC
Deitrick Haddon seems to be on a roll musically and artistically these days. I'm not an ardent fan of his music, but I thoroughly enjoy his current offerings, which usually seem to gravitate toward trendy R&B with a gospel twist. From Live the Life to Crossroads, he has been dubbed the "Michael Jackson" of gospel who showcases his ability to redeem the secular for God's glory. 7 Days sits on the far end of Haddon's continuum of seamlessly blending gospel and R&B. "Taxi Interlude" describes Haddon's musical mission best. Through the dialogue of a church-goer who listens to everything but gospel music and his friend who challenges him to listen to a "bangin' gospel record," Haddon sets out to prove that good music is good music no matter the genre. Every song on 7 Days is well-crafted and sung with clarity and earnest, effortlessly woven together by thoughtful lyrics and excellent production. "Count Your Blessings" is fun and energetic while reminding us to always be grateful for what God had given. "Don't Go" contains a piano sample from DeBarge's "Stay With Me" (made popular by Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance (Remix)" and Ashanti's "Foolish"), yet Haddon craftily uses the sample to convey the message of reconciliation between God and a prodigal child. Jodeci-sounding "I'm the One" emphasizes God's provision of rest to the weary. Haddon even treads on political soil with the traditional-flavored "Heaven Knows," as he champions the social gospel: "The homeless are still homeless, the poor are still poor/ Yet we find billions of dollars to fund senseless wars/ And yes, we're fighting terrorism, what about the quiet racism?/Divided among ourselves, somebody's crying for help/ Heaven is listening, heaven is watching, heaven knows." With gospel's "it boy," Tonex, on indefinite hiatus, Haddon continues to carry the torch of contemporary gospel, showing us that good music knows no bounds. PICK HITS: Count Your Blessings, Don't Go, I'm the One, Heaven Knows, Help Somebody

DEITRICK HADDON - CROSSROADS
The Michael Jackson of Gospel is back with his sophomore release on Verity Records. Crossroads is definitely a step up from his last project. I couldn't get into that one at all. The smash hit God is Good is worth the cost of the project by itself. Since I'm a sucker for live music, Deitrick definitely scores points for the live instruments on many of the tracks. It also doesn't hurt that the dude can just flat-out sing! Features Guest Appearances By: Rance Allen & Pastor Paula White. I do think that the sequencing could have been a lil better. All of the slower songs were one right after the other. PICK HITS: God Is Good, Had Not Been, God Didn't Give Up, Stir The Gift, Prayer Changes Things, Walls Are Tumbling [originally posted 11.04]

JAMES HALL & WORSHIP AND PRAISE - LIVE AT FOXWOODS (2007)
out of 5
Written By: Louis Williams - Washington, DC
PICK HITS: Perfect Peace, Nothing Shall Separate Me, Teach Me Lord
In a day age when the gospel market is so saturated with new artists and an abundance of music, those considered pioneers, trendsetters or even just an artist with more than one record, can't afford to slip when it comes to releasing a new project. Since 1993's "God Is In Control", Brooklyn, New York's James Hall and Worship and Praise have been wowing audiences up and down the East Coast and across the country with their powerful and oft described as complex vocal and musical arrangements. There's always that dark gothic-like slow piece, vibrato-laced, ever modulating fast cut, and even the killer "churchy" number tucked in every CD that has continued to impress fans throughout the years. With his latest double-disc effort, the second release on his Music Blend Records label, Live At Foxwoods -- mostly all of these elements are in place, but they're hampered by less than stellar production. Ok, real talk, the mix on this project just doesn't cut it! This accompanied by cutting a song here and there are the only things that prevent this release from being one of the stronger projects released this year. Featuring guest appearances from Nikki Ross, Asaph Womack, Dawn Tallman and lead vocal contributions from a few WAP mainstays, if you're a fan of Hall's music, even with the poor production quality, there's bound to be something for you to enjoy. ADDITIONAL PICK HITS: He'll Make Things Better

FRED HAMMOND - FREE TO WORSHIP
out of 5
Written By: D. "Three" Walker - San Antonio, TX
With his signature bass-driven melodies, experienced veteran Fred Hammond returns to the urban praise and worship helm with an offering of music that remains true to his candid approach and profound lyrics. After his prior project, "Somethin' Bout Love" (which I enjoyed) sans Radicals For Christ, he was met with a bit of "Where are your singers?" Having recently moved to Dallas, TX, Fred organized a new faction of singers he calls the FTW (Free to Worship) Dallas Crew to record this admirable project which boasts 13 brand new tracks and a bonus: a live version of "Celebrate (He Lives)". Candy West lends her song-writing skills to the CD as she co-wrote and sang background vocals as well. As you navigate through the disc, you'll find yourself in a mix of dancing on cuts like "He'll Do It" and "L.O.U.D. L.O.U.D." (a relevant acronym that was laid on top of a pounding dance beat) and lifting your hands on cuts like "No Greater Love" and "Simply Put". You know he always had the ability to "take you in" by being a modern-day David and just speaking from heart. I'm sure you'll take notice to his fresh arrangement of the old school praise and worship song "This Is The Day" that will likely get stuck in your head. This will serve as a necessary purchase if you are familiar with Fred's music at all and if you've been asleep the past 20 years, then it's a good place to start. As an added treat, you get a 3-song bonus DVD along with the CD. PICK HITS: He'll Do It, This Is The Day, More of You, Keep on Praisin' L.O.U.D L.O.U.D., There Is No Place, Simply Put, And We Worship You

FRED HAMMOND - SOMETHIN' BOUT LOVE
Having suffered several personal tragedies in the last year -- Fred Hammond had to lean heavily on the Lord and depend on His love like never before. Out of his experiences came what I consider to be one of the best releases in the 04. I'm not a Fred head by any means but I'm seriously diggin this project full of beautiful ballads and thumpin grooves. Features Guest Appearances By: Musiq, Brian McKnight, Marvin Winans, Love Fellowship Choir & Melonie Daniels. PICK HITS: Celebrate (He Lives), Praise Belongs To You, Loved On Me, I'll Find A Way, Your Love Is, Your Love Is A Wonder, Your Name Is Jesus [originally posted 11.04]

DR. CHARLES G. HAYES & THE WARRIORS - THE REMIX
When you're used to hearing choirs do traditional music and they move towards a more contemporary sound, the end results are sometimes disastrous (*coughs* The Tommies [aka Rev. Milton Brunson's Thompson Community Singers] and their Real CD). Does this change work for Dr. Charles Hayes and The Warriors (aka The Cosmopolitan Voices of Prayer Choir)? Sure. They haven't gone so far to the left, that you don't recognize the formula that they're known for. This is still Sunday morning friendly music. The Remix features new material and songs from their vast repertoire, that are given a fresh coat of paint (if you will) with new grooves instrumentally or changes in the vocal arrangements. I suspect that this CD will sell on the strength of the updated version Jesus Will Work It Out (that's a killer!) alone, but there are a couple of goodies tucked in here and there. PICK HITS: Work It Out, Love You So, He Can Do Anything, All In His Hands

SUNNY HAWKINS - MORE OF YOU
out of 5
Written By: Kenisha Ringgold - Newark, DE
As it is in life so it is with music-- first impressions are not always a reliable indicator of what is to come. My first exposure to Sunny Hawkins was through her radio friendly single More of You. It's a nice getting know you track, but it only skims the surface of what she's really capable. It would be too easy to lump Sunny Hawkins into the neo-soul category (or simply soul if you prefer) and I nearly fell into that trap. The first tracks Daddy's Got You Now and Where Would I Be have the hallmark meandering bass line of a neo soul joint and her first interlude even features a little spoken word (reminiscent of Lisa McClendon's My Diary Your Life). But even after listening to those tracks that assumption would be would be wrong. Sunny steals influences from the pockets of many genres, but nothing sounds like it was ripped off. Every song really seems to be uniquely her own. This lady must have known what she was doing and didn't let too many cooks in the kitchen. Producer and husband Jamie Hawkins, (son of Walter and Tremaine Hawkins) who has quite a production resume, infused the entire project with a dose of bright and shiny optimism. This is feel good gospel music. The production is clean and Sunny's vocals possess a powerful refinement (if comparison must be made, Sunny's vocals seem to have the timber of Tina Atkins). The album explores traditional gospel music themes, but gratefully from a novel lyrical perspective. When super producers are ubiquitous and recycled beats, chords, and vocal arrangements permeate so many releases it's nice to hear something new. Sunny Hawkins could be just the thing. PICK HITS: More of You, Love Me Too, Where Would I Be, It's like Air

TRAMAINE HAWKINS - I NEVER LOST MY PRAISE
out of 5
Written By: Roderick A. Meadows - Atlanta, GA
After almost 40 years in the gospel music arena, Tramaine Hawkins boldly and steadfastly declares on her latest project, "I Never Lost My Praise". Praise isn't the only thing the West Coast pioneer of modern gospel hasn't lost. She still has that unique, resonant soprano voice that has only gotten better with time. This time around, Tramaine has enlisted the production skills of her son, Jamie Hawkins and gospel maestro Kurt Carr for a spiritually-fulfilling live project-recorded at Reid Temple AME in Glendale Maryland. A wonderful blend of contemporary, praise and worship, and old-time church, the project starts off with the rousing "Excellent Lord"-with adlibs by Carr. Another standout cut is the stunning "Worship Medley" which incorporates "Praise the Name of Jesus", "There is None Like You", and "There's Something About that Name" into a reverent, tear-jerking musical gumbo. Lady Hawkins gives a nod to her beginnings with her faithful rendition of mentor/former brother-in-law Edwin's classic "Oh Happy Day". Long-time friend and Gospel innovator Richard Smallwood stops by to add his classical piano styling to the lushly arranged "Lord You Are". Backed by the more-than-capable vocals of Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music, Tramaine looks over her life on the stirring title cut. To be totally honest, I couldn't find anything wrong with this project. I wasn't a really big Tramaine fan before, but she definitely won me over with this one. PICK HITS: I've Never Lost My Praise, Worship Medley, Lord You Are, Don't Count Me Out

DARWIN HOBBS - WORSHIPPER
Billed as "the album he was destined to make", Darwin Hobbs returns for a fourth time with the praise and worship filled set simply titled Worshipper. Gospel's Luther Vandross sounds quite comfortable on this project produced by Israel Haughton and Aaron Lindsey with additional production from Tommy Sims. Filled with high-octane up-tempo cuts and covers of a few gospel/CCM classics, Worshipper is a solid release and should do well. 9 tracks in all, including a medley that clocks in at just over ten minutes, you should enjoy this one from start to finish without ever having to press the skip button on your Discman. PICK HITS: Glorify Him, Better is One Day, Worshipper's Medley, All Sides

DAVE HOLLISTER - THE BOOK OF DAVID: TRANSITION
out of 5
After making quite an impression in the secular music arena, Dave Hollister has decided to give it all up and carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song. Having been a follower of his musical career from his time with Blackstreet, down to his last solo project "Real Talk", I wondered how his debut gospel project would rate in comparison. With contributions from a stellar team of producers (Warryn Campbell, Mike City, Ernest Lee, Carnell Murrell, PAJAM and Jesse Wright), Dave has made the transition quite nicely. The Book of David: Transition presents a transparent and honest look, set to music, at the life of a man under construction -- a man who has yielded his life to the Lord and is in the process of developing a true relationship with Him. Songs like Help Me, What Do You Do and The Potter will not only be a blessing to new converts, but will add strength to the walks of even the most seasoned saints. Like the Biblical character David, whose highs and lows we experience throughout scripture, Dave Hollister paints a musical picture of a man who, even with all of his various issues, has a heart after God. PICK HITS: Help Me, So Many Scars, Pray (Til I Get An Answer), What Do You Do, I Let Heaven Down, The Potter

JOHN HOWARD & THE END TIME LEVITES - THE END RESULT (2007)
Written By: Louis Williams - Washington, DC
out of 5
PICK HITS: Release, I Will Praise You, God Is, I Made It, God Still Reigns, Won't Work
From an independent artist standpoint, the New Jersey choir scene has made notable strides over the past few years. Before they signed with major labels and/or worked with the Who's Who of gospel, these artists toured extensively up and down the east coast gaining scores of fans. With music from Natalie Wilson & SOP (Newark), Craig Hayes & The United Voices (Trenton), Tye Tribbett & GA (Camden -- prior to their Sony, Life and Victory days) and many others whetting their appetites, gospel listeners had their ears tuned to the Garden State to see what would come next from that area. Straight out of Atlantic City, John Howard and his group The End Time Levites throw their debut The End Result into the ring for your consideration. Sure to be a hit with fans of choirs known for in-your-face vocals such Youthful Praise, Ricky Dillard & New G and James Hall and Worship & Praise, this 13-track disc starts on high note with the house-influenced "Release" and remains even-keeled until the end with the banger of a proclamation to Satan himself, "It Won't Work." Even the slower tracks feature the Levites doing their "good" singing. Howard's gruff vocals are also center focus (think Cleveland, Kee, Parham and even Marcus Cole --- all singers of whom I'm a fan --- well, maybe not Cleveland as a singer per se, but you know what I mean) as he handles the lead responsibilities on many of the album's tracks. Rather than doing a track by track review, I'll summarize by stating that what this project lacks in polish and sheen, it makes up for it in the heart and effort that was put into it. The drought in choir music may soon be coming to end with artists like Howard & his Levites around.

MARK HUBBARD & THE VOICES - BLESSING WAITING ON ME
With hits like No, I Wont Turn Back, He's Up There, and He Laid His Hands On Me under their belt, Mark Hubbard and the Voices absence from the Gospel industry the last 6 years has definitely been felt. They're back on Utopia Records (a new label ran by Bishop Larry Trotter) and their project features music (writers include Jonathan Nelson, Patrick Love & VaShawn Mitchell) and guest appearances from quite a few of my favorite singers, directors and musicians. I think their last couple of releases (especially He's Up There & No I Won't Turn Back) hit much harder than this one, but it's good to hear from em again. Features Guest Appearances From: Donald Lawrence, DeWayne Woods, Ted & Sheri, Richard Smallwood, Malcolm Williams and VaShawn Mitchell PICK HITS: Help Me Praise Him, Blessin' Waitin On Me, Deliverance, I Won't Let Go, Lift Those Hands and Bless Him. [originally posted 12.04]

GEORGE HUFF - MIRACLES
out of 5
Other than the initial auditions once the season begins, I haven't given in to the American Idol craze. I'm afraid I missed all that was "George Huff". It isn't a secret however, that the winners of the competition aren't the only ones that go on to establish careers in the music industry. Huff landed a deal with Word Records and with assistance from Darkchild Gospel, Desmond Pringle, and a few others, his debut Miracles hit stores. With 6 of the 11 tracks being co-written by Huff, Miracle is mostly filled with mid-tempo tracks that showcase his gruff vocals. Things pick up with the hard hitting Brighter Day and Real Love. I would say that this is a satisfying debut. PICK HITS: Fortunes, Miracles, Feels Like Heaven, Brighter Day

STEPHEN HURD - MY DESTINY
out of 5
Written By: Kenisha Ringgold - Newark, DE
Stephen Hurd's latest offers no surprises. Simply presented are songs that any praise and worship leader would select to become apart of their Sunday Services. Instead of passively listening to the songs, you'll find yourself feeling as though you are in Temple of Praise in Washington, D.C as Hurd ushers you into each new psalm. The disc opens with a fanfare of drums and cymbals which leads into the first song Great Praise, (co-written by Hurd, Jonathan Nelson and Justin Savage) a dynamic song that dares you not to sing along. The Glory Chant, a slower mid-tempo praise song seems like an older sibling to Great Praise. Producer for the project, Steven Ford brings his irresistible organ virtuoso to the end of Zamar Celebration. My Destiny hits its stride with Morning Medley. Minister Hurd begins with small recitation of Psalm 63. The medley brings together stripped down songs Keep Me in Your Glory, I Just Want to be Where You Are, and Draw me Nearer, devoid of complicated arrangements and production, Hurd sheperds the voices of those gathered to worship. Destiny finds Hurd sharing his praise leader duties with fellow DC friends Maurette Brown Clark and Jonathan Nelson. If you've ever asked God his plan for your life; you will connect with message Destiny conveys. It seems gospel music has reached its saturation point for praise and worship releases. However, there is always room for a good one. "My Destiny" is a good one. PICK HITS: Destiny I & II, Morning Medley, The Glory of the Lord, Love Song Medley.

STEPHEN HURD - A CALL TO WORSHIP
Written By: Karen Westbrooks - Sacramento, CA
"Let the glory of the Lord, let it rise among us"-so begins Stephen Hurd's third release-- A Call to Worship--. Don't sleep on this project!! Whether you are a praise & worship leader or choir director, this project is a must have. His previous project "In The Overflow Vol II" has been on heavy rotation in my CD players since August 2003 and I couldn't wait to hear more from this awesome Psalmist.

The project opens with Let It Rise, a smooth arrangement that is sure to bring you to your feet swaying & singing along. Cry Out O Zion has some island flavor to it and is sure to keep you on your feet-or shuffling them under your desk if you're a cubicle praise & worshipper. Rejoice continues the praise party with a drive led by Kim McLeod that will let you know you better bless the Lord. You will be encouraged by Lead Me To the Rock and Philippians 4:13 that Jesus is truly where all your help comes from and to stand firm in Christ no matter what circumstances come your way. Knowing this you will break into Undignified Praise which is based on II Samuel 6:21 & 22 and is surely going to be one of the most congregationally sung songs from this project. We Magnify Your Name has been rearranged so you can either teach it to the praise & worship team or break it on out for your choir.

The next two songs instantly went on "repeat" in my disc player. Your Glory and The Oil of Your Anointing-you will just have to go on and take a worship break as the words of these two songs saturate your spirit. Cubicle worshippers exercise caution unless your benefit package includes a personal usher. I Can't Wait, speaks of the anticipation of reaching heaven to see Jesus and our loved ones and the project closes with Zion is Calling.

This project has an awesome flow, easily moving from praise to worship and back again. Accomplishing what it should; ushering you into the presence of God. PICK HITS: Cry Out O Zion, Philippians 4:13, Undignified, Your Glory, The Oil of Your Anointing [originally posted 06.04]

NORMAN HUTCHINS - WHERE I LONG TO BE
of 5
With the right mix of traditional and contemporary music meshed together, Norman Hutchins' fifth JDI Records release Where I Long To Be is sure to be another hit on his musical resume. Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians led by musical director Michael Bereal, a background ensemble being dubbed as The "A" Team (those babies are sangin!), and a 9 track collection of "Sunday morning friendly" material, all of the right ingredients are in place to make Where I Long To Be one of the hottest projects released in 2006. Place a star by the moving track All Things Work Together, which features Hutchins' testimony of God healing him of an eye condition that left him totally blind. Shervonne Wells of the Kurt Carr Singers makes a special guest appearance on the churchy Everything Will Be Alright. PICK HITS: A Move of God is On The Way, Everything Will Be Alright, Where I Long To Be, I Really Love You, I Won't Forget All Things Work Together

ISRAEL & NEW BREED - A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS
out of 5
Written By: Jon R. Moore - Washington, DC
With the season turning and winter in the air the welcome sights and sounds of Christmas are becoming more and more prevalent; out come the extensive shopping lists and bargain hunters singing to the tune of "mega", "one-time" and "blowout" sales, holiday menus are being prepared and, most importantly, our annual family gatherings are now being planned. While most of these reunions will be accompanied by the traditional soundtrack of a mix of old Christmas standards (which means the Stylistics and Temptations for "our" folks), the wise gospel music consumer would do well to liven up the family sing-alongs with some tunes from Israel Houghton's latest; "A Timeless Christmas". Widely regarded as one of America's definitive authorities on praise & worship, Israel Houghton and the company of worship leaders that back him known as New Breed have gone above and beyond the call of duty with their debut Christmas project, the result being an awesome compilation of familiar tunes and fresh original material that is by far one of the absolute best Christmas albums to be released this year! New Breed's love of worship is on full display here and their ability to shift the attention of the listener from the familiarity of the Christmas "holiday season" to the significance of Christ and the spirit that the season brings is a welcome rarity amongst many gospel Christmas albums. It goes without saying that, under Israel's skilled guidance, the entire CD is wrapped in awe-inspiringly beautiful production and each song differs enough to add its own color to a markedly varied array of selections, treating listeners to an auditory smorgasbord designed to sate the tastes of even the most discriminating of critics. An impressive assortment of guest appearances only adds icing to the cake (Marvin Winans, Jonathan Butler and Lalah Hathaway to name a few). You can forget about packing this project away with the decorations, the fact is that this is one "Christmas" album that will be found playing year-round! PICK HITS: Everybody Knows, Hark, O Come, Tidings (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen), Christmas Worship Medley, By Christmas Day, Silent Nocturne

ISRAEL & NEW BREED - ALIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Written By: La'Salle Pierce - Spokane, Washington
After the "Live from Another Level" Project, Israel and New Breed are back, taking us higher than I could have ever expected. The band under the director of none other than Aaron Lindsey hits this intro I call "Coming to America" that leads into the title track Alive. With favor and increase being the main focus on the first disc, songs like Favor Of The Lord, Turn It Around, Take The Limits Off, and No Limits are sure to get your attention. Israel's daughter, Mariah Houghton, makes a guest appearance on He Knows My Name. The live version of the radio single Not Forgotten shows up in the mix as well. All this and we're still on the first disc. The CD would not be complete with out what Worship. Israel and New Breed take us into the Holy of Holies with songs like To Worship You I Live, Alpha & Omega, and a medley of songs including, Holy Ground & Holy Lord God Almighty. Minister Jonathan Butler (A native of South Africa, where this project was recorded) joins Israel and warms the crowd with special words as he brings his song with new breed entitled Come and Let Is Sing. And just when you thought it was all over .....Encore...encore. New Breed returns with a medley of their previous smash hits including: New Season, Your Latter Will Be Greater, Lord You Are Good, Again I Say Rejoice and Friend of God. Powerful!

ISRAEL & NEW BREED - LIVE FROM ANOTHER LEVEL
Written By: D. "Three" Walker - San Antonio, TX
"Tell somebody, 'This is what it's all about...we're going to another level'". These are the words spoken by Israel Houghton as he and New Breed open up this radically dynamic praise and worship experience! The super funky baseline of the first cut grabs your attention so that you have to accept the song's invitation to Come In From The Outside and bless His name. This double CD project is very similar to the groups break-out debut release, 'New Season' but as the title suggests, they have indeed gone to another level. It is chockfull of powerful and anointed live musicality. You almost feel like you're there. New Breed gives skillful background vocals and a few leads with very creative and intriguing melodies. The accompanying band cranks out some of the most innovative grooves and in contrast, many tender arrangements.

On CD (Level) 1, we join in on the declaration of our victory in Jesus and lose our minds in high PRAISE. The already popular, Again I Say Rejoice with a high-energy reprise exhorts us to do just as Philippians 4:4 says. (As a matter of fact, most of the songs have a coinciding scripture listed in the CD insert) Thought that was a nice addition. Now, Israel and his musical director/associate producer Aaron Lindsey throw in splashes of South African flava on the infectious All Around and a spicy Latin touch to You've Made Me Glad which includes a section from Who is Like the Lord found on the 'New Season' release. Both of these incorporate the blazing brass section from renowned Mo' Horns out of Baltimore. You may dance, you may bob your head, you may lift a hand or two! Bishop Joseph Garlington gives comforting words and leads us in a beautifully simple worship song, So Easy to Love You...because You're wonderful. Indeed God is.

CD (Level) 2: A warning -- Caution while driving! Israel leads the receptive audience right into the very presence of the Lord. These songs remind us of who God really is and the promises we have in Him. It is sprinkled with familiar hymns ('No Not One', 'What a Friend') and classic Praise & Worship tunes ('Joy of My Desire', 'Awesome in this Place') throughout. You'll also hear the sounds of fresh worship offerings. The first being Friend of God taken from James 2:23 "...Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness; and he was called the friend of God" and because we are sons of Abraham we have this inheritance. A revelatory message! Israel's heartfelt ministry leads to Spontaneous Worship immediately following. Rise Within Us expresses how the people of God are ready for His manifest glory. The songs Another Breakthrough and Lord of the Breakthrough go hand in hand. This first talks about the season for another level, harvest, and breakthrough in the Lord and the second is the 'response' in worship to Him for that breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling which hinders spiritual progress. I can't seem to get through Breath Into Me yet. My goodness. I think the title speaks for itself. "Only You take my breath away then You breathe new life into me. So breathe into me once again" It's a noble request to God. After we join in with the angels sweetly crying Holy the CD set ends with final expression that we are Going To Another Level.

The sound of Praise & Worship has evolved just as every other facet of Gospel Music. Israel puts it this way: the sound "ain't a Black thang or a White thang. It's a Kingdom thang". If or not you have tapped in yet, you'll want to have this experience for yourself. It's a splendid mix that leaves a great after-taste: A newfound reverence for God and encouragement for your life's journey. PICK HITS: CD1: Again I Say Rejoice, We Win, You've Made Me Glad, CD2: The whole thing! [originally posted 06.04]

IZZY - IN AWE OF YOU
out of 5
You can probably count the number of male urban gospel artists in the gospel industry on one hand. Ok, maybe two. Washington, DC artist Israel Bell aka Izzy and upstart label VGR Entertainment in conjuction with Koch Records submits this 16 track offering In Awe of You for your listening pleasure. The title track speaks to being moved by the presence and move of God. Will listeners be awed by this project? That depends. The production on this project could either be considered cutting edge or confusing. Delayed rhythms, stacking too many sounds into one track along with busy vocal acrobatics can prove to be a bit much. Less is more. This is proven on tracks such as the beautiful ballad Never Let Go of Your Hand and the mid-tempo grooves Love You Forever and New Life. There are times when the production and vocals gel together on the faster side of the project and work for Izzy. Maintain (though it contains some of the aforementioned elements) and You Are (Remix) are examples of things coming together well. All is not negative though. I felt the heart of what Bell wanted to accomplish with this release. Hopefully more thought will be given to the production end of the things with the next CD. Certainly this brother's star is shining bright. PICK HITS: Destiny, Maintain, Love You Forever, Worship Interlude, New Life, In Awe of You, Never Let Go Your Hand, You Are (Remix)