ANTONIO NEAL - DAYS OF MY LIFE
Written By: Roderick A. Meadows - Atlanta, GA
Every now and then an artist comes along with a sound so fresh, different, simply unclassifiable. Such is the case with singer/songwriter Antonio Neal, who recently released his debut project "Days of My Life" on EMI Gospel. The former Texas A&M hoopster has carved out a niche for himself in the genre of Inspirational Soul/Urban Gospel. The radio-friendly lead-off single, "Days of My Life" is a bouncy thank-you letter to God for his many blessings anchored by a chunky beat, funky 70's style electric piano and Neal's soulful falsetto. "So Beautiful" is a lushly-written acoustic-guitar laden ode to Neal's daughter, and "Our Love" is an open love letter to his wife Sharalissa. I predict that one or both of these songs will crossover to mainstream radio. My favorite cuts on the album are "Jesus Will", an inspirational cut that extols the power of Christ's healing of lonely, broken hearts that sounds straight out of R. Kelly's inspirational diary, and the deep, soulful "Life Worth Living". Producers Tedd T, Ken Pennell and Neal himself have mastered the art of inspirational soul, unplugged, open and honest. PICK HITS: Jesus Will, Days of My Life, The Only One

JASON NELSON - I SHALL LIVE
It's a wonderful feeling to serve others for years and finally come into your own. After working in the guest soloist spot on several projects (Tye Tribbett, Donald Lawrence and Gospel Today Presents), Jason Nelson's solo debut has finally arrived. I Shall Live is a worship experience that will leave a lasting impression on your spirit man for some time to come. With most of the writing done by Nelson himself and contributions from Jonathan Nelson and Tye Tribbett, this CD features an abundance of material that will definitely cause you to worship and a couple of upbeat numbers that will usher you into praise. You don't want to miss this offering from one of the greatest male voices in the music industry today. PICK HITS: I Shall Live, Who You Are (Interlude), Thirsty, Only One I Need, Don't Need A Reason

JONATHAN NELSON & PURPOSE - EVERYTHING YOU ARE
Every now and then there will be a group that comes along and cause me to just sit back and go WOW. In 2003, that honor will definitely go to Jonathan Nelson and Purpose. This live project was recorded in Baltimore, MD and proves that the Maryland/DC/Virginia area can church with the best of em!. Nelson & Purpose can easily be compared to Donald Lawrence & Tri-City, Kirk Franklin and his former Family (without the lead man jumpin around hollerin) and even the maestro Thomas Whitfield and his Company. The harmonies are tight and the music is just right. I'm lovin this CD! So many good songs -- not enough space to talk about them all. I'm looking forward to where the Lord will take the ministry of Jonathan Nelson & Purpose. Features a guest appearance from Chrystal Rucker. PICK HITS: Everyday, Up Up Away, Everything You Are, Manifest, Book of Life, Change Will Come, I'm Healed [originally posted in 03.04/edited 08.05]

NEW BIRTH TOTAL PRAISE CHOIR - A NEW BEGINNING
out of 5
Bishop Eddie Long and his New Birth Total Praise Choir are at it again with their sophomore release A New Beginning. With Kevin Bond in the producer's chair again, things pretty much pick up where they left off from their first release. The major difference this time is that there are no guest soloist. The main focus this go round is the choir. With the first listen, nothing caught my attention right away. I found some of the music tracks to be a bit busy, and I skipped Bishop Long's sermonic interludes positioned throughout the CD. I don't know that I would necessarily consider this project a sophomore jinx, it's just not this reviewer's cup of tea. PICK HITS: It Shall Come To Pass, A New Beginning, Holy Are You Lord (Santo Eres Tu Senor)

NEW DIRECTION - SEND THE PRAISE
out of 5
Gospel recordings are getting shorter and shorter. Record labels are trading 15-16 track CD's with interludes and outros for a mere 10-11 tracks. The problem with this is that every track on a scaled down CD HAS to be hot. You can't afford to have fillers. So what's the deal with New Direction's fourth offering Send Your Praise? Well, let's just see. Percy and Jeral Gray are in the production seat again, and they don't stray from the formula they're pretty much known for: great production, decent material and those horns! But that's where the problem lies in this release. No new ground is covered here. Overdubbed vocals cancel out the fact that this project was recorded live, and compared to previous releases, this one lags behind. I Came To Jesus was featured on the group's sophomore project Get Your Praise On, and the track Peace would have been better served without the lead exhorter. Even with all of this said, Send Your Praise isn't a bad project, it just might get lost in the shuffle in such a saturated market. PICK HITS: You're Welcome Here, I Came To Jesus, Peace, Jump, Get Excited, Hold On, Shower Down

NEW VISION PRESENTS - FIRE
out of 5
Down through the years, choirs and groups from Ohio and the surrounding area have made major strides in the gospel music industry. Remember Tetrec? What about Chris Byrd & True Victory, Keith Dobbins & Resurrection Mass or maybe even Charles Woolfork & The Praise Covenant Choir? Well, now you can add Reginald Johnson & New Vision to that list. Their new release definitely reflects the title it was given -- FIRE! From the beginning intro of Praise Him until the very end, New Vision's Fire is an enjoyable project. Choir directors should easily find plenty of up-tempos to teach your youth and young adults on here. It's my understanding that the project is being re-released this summer, and hopefully with some polishing on the production end of the things -- and maybe a new cover -- this could be considered as a candidate for one of top of choir projects in 2006. Though they're not from the East Coast, New Vision definitely has that East Coast flavor. Fire features a guest appearance by Rodney Posey. PICK HITS: Praise Him, Press On, Make A Way, For Everything, Holy, Mighty God, Exceedingly, Abundantly

SMOKIE NORFUL - LIFE CHANGING
out of 5
Written By: Roderick A. Meadows - Atlanta, GA
Every now and then comes a release that makes you sit up and take notice. The talent of the singer, the quality of the production and instrumentation, and the reputation the artist has built are all "Gotta have this album" factors. HOWEVER, sometimes a follow-up release by an established artist can be quite disappointing. Such is the case with Smokie Norful's third project on EMI-"Life Changing", which was for me anything but. The project was filled with tepid, cookie-cutter offerings that seem like they were left over from his last, and equally disappointing "Nothing Without You", and I found myself skipping over most of the cuts after 2 listens. With the bad, however, is always the good. Two tracks managed to save the album from total ruin. The radio cut, "Um Good" written by Percy Bady allows Norful to really showcase his talented pipes in a way the other cuts restricts, while accompanied by a group of top-flight background singers all floating on melodic piano and string work. The other standout cut is a surprisingly effective gospel reworking of "Run to You"-originally a hit for Whitney Houston on her "Bodyguard" album. Smokie hits the highs, does the runs and turns in a memorable performance. Overall, I was expecting something much more from "Life Changing". Smokie-return to the flava that you gave us the first time out on "I Need You Now." PICK HITS: Um Good, Run Til I Finish, Run To You

SHEA NORMAN - MY HEART DEPENDS ON YOU
Shea Norman's vocals on Song of Strength from the Fred Hammond, Speak Those Things project had me going whoa! When I received the Tis So Sweet single, I definitely couldn't wait for a full project from this guy. Well, My Heart Heart Depends On You is finally here. For those that love good singing - Shea Norman is the man! I can listen to the brotha chirp all day. Unfortunately, as far as the CD goes -- the song selections aren't that strong to me. The CD lost its steam towards the middle. Depending on what mood I'm in, after Deliverance Will Come, I usually press skip on the Discman until I get to God of Love and Lucky. With much of the production handled by Fred Hammond, my favorite tracks are those produced by Asaph "Alex" Ward and Jon Reddick. PICK HITS: More & More To Me, Fell In Love With Jesus, You Can Use Me, Tis So Sweet, Deliverance Will Come, God of Love & Lucky [originally posted 11.04]

ONITSHA - CHURCH GIRL

Written By: Louis Williams, Washington, DC
Honing her vocal chops singing background for gospel duo Mary Mary and even appearing on projects from secular artists Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder, Beverly Hills, California native Onitsha Shaw is ready to come front and center stage with her debut project "Church Girl" on the Hidden Beach/Stillwaters label. Under the capable hands of producer Shep Crawford, the CD has a vibe similar to releases from Mary Mary, Kierra Sheard and the latest from R&B turned Gospel artist Coko. If you're familiar with secular artist Brandy, her Full Moon project could also be used as a point of reference. If you're like me, you'll even notice that the two share similar vocal styles. The music featured on this project is definitely contemporary and knocks HARD all the while offering messages of hope, strength, and reflecting the Gospel message. Music lovers will get a kick out of the use of the Harlem Globetrotter's theme song sample in "So Good", and a mash-up with Mahalia Jackson using a sample of her song "Search Me". Church Girl will definitely go on my list of 2007's hottest releases. PICK HITS: "Gotta Believe Me", "My Life", "Don't Give Up", "He Is", "This One", "Come By Here", "God Is On Your Side", "This Joy", "Search Me", and "It's Over Now"

OUT OF EDEN - HYMNS
I became hip to OOE with the Love, Peace & Happiness release. While some of their material sounded like it would fit more with the CCM arena than Gospel, I decided to tag along for the musical journey. This latest release finds the girls throwing caution to the wind and going in quite a different direction. While I'm not familiar with many of the songs they chose, (we just don't sing these at Beulah Baptist *smile*) and the flavor of a few didn't quite move me, there were a couple of tracks that got my attention. God Will Take Care of You should do real well at gospel radio. PICK HITS: I Know Whom I Have Believed, My Faith Has Found A Resting Place, God Will Take Care of You, Have Mercy, Be Still My Soul

PAUL OWENS & APC - COMFORT ME
This was one of those look at the cover and take a chance purchases. At first glance, it's just Owens on the cover but if you flip it over, there's a youthful lookin group rockin the bright preppy gear that's quite popular now. It made me say hmm. Blazin out of Philly, this is Owens and the Anointed Praise Chorale's sophomore project. Their first was an independent project (that managed to slip pass me). Heavy on the East Coast flavor, and a style similar to Tye Tribbett and other indie favorites, James Fortune and Fiya, ANC, and others too numerous to name, there's should be something on this CD for you to enjoy. For those of you (like me) that love a good shout track, check out Git Yo Dance On. The production was iffy in a few spots. If you want to take a chance on a new artist, check this CD out. PICK HITS: Comfort Me, I'm A Praise, He Reigns, Heaven, He Did What?, Lift Him Up