Fire up the grill, wax up the car and get ready to celebrate ... it's Summertime! And this Summer, Marvin Sapp offers the perfect musical backdrop for those family get-togethers, barbecues and long days outside - it's his high-energy new album "Be Exalted." Very close to being described as a 'party album,' Sapp in his constantly innovative way brings a remarkable praise celebration to CD and as the title suggests, it celebrates, magnifies, glorifies and honors Jesus Christ alone. It allows you to have fun, dance and praise God to varying tempos and up-to-date music.

Though you would never know it, "Be Exalted" is Sapp's first ever all studio album and yet he manages to bring an authentic live element to the very funky first track, "Be It Unto Me." Jump starting the album in an explosive way, the live instrumentation and exuberant reprise leaves you feeling like you are standing right there in the front row of one of Sapp's many concert dates. "I didn't depart from what I usually do - I kept it churchy ... but funky," he explained.

"It was a different recording process for me this time around," said Sapp. "I am used to being able to draw from the energy of the people in live settings, but the producers on the album were able to re-create and capture that same energy and spirit that I'm used to."

The producers are as varied as the album's selections yet it all seamlessly works together. Included are heavyweight gospel producers Donald Lawrence ("Perfect Peace"), Percy Bady ("He Won't Fail"), Israel Houghton & Aaron Lindsey ("Be Exalted," and "Trust In You") along with contemporary gospel producers The Trendsetters ("Do You Know Him" and "Holy") and first time collaborations with R&B producer James Poyser ("Everything That I Am") and long-time writer/producer Tommie Walker ("Do You Know Him - TommyGunn 1965 Mix).

"I changed up the tempo on some of the songs intentionally," said Sapp. "I wanted people to see a lighter side of who I am ... and honestly I think I am doing more things vocally as a result of working with the different producers."

And it wouldn't be summer without a good summer jam ... an anthem that just makes you feel good wherever you are and there is no question that "Do You Know Him" is 2005's summer hit. It's the lead single off the album and backed by a contemporary hooky beat, it is a strictly Christ-centered song with lyrics that describe the very essence of who Jesus is. "The hook will really bring you in," explained Sapp. "But it talks about His life, His resurrection ... the miracles He performed. You have to listen to the words not just the beats." Fans get a double dose of this hit song with two equally jamming mixes on the album.

Another one of the CD's gems is the title track "Be Exalted," an uncomplicated call and response worship song that is a true opus that literally goes on and on. Written by Jonathan Dunn and produced by Aaron Lindsey & Israel Houghton the song is an easy to learn, memorable song that speaks to His greatness.

Sapp was inspired by the song and chose to name the entire project "Be Exalted" as a call on people to focus on the awesome power of God," he said. "I want people to remember to not get caught up in personal life circumstances ... despite what we go through, He is still worthy and we are supposed to exalt Him all the time."

"Be Exalted" is not just a head-nodding good time it does have its share of slowed down ballads that in fact showcase Sapp's vocal prowess. Amid the jubilant celebration of songs like "Holy," "That Name" and Sapp's personal favorite "Changed" are cuts like the real sweet, R&B tinged "Everything That I Am," "Trust In You," a model church worship ballad and a sweeping cover of the classic "Perfect Peace." "I've always wanted to do a song no one has covered and I thought this was a good choice. Donald [Lawrence] is so gifted ... he did an amazing job arranging and producing it with the live strings and horns ... it's an unbelievable song." Another potential big song for Sapp is the full-scale encouraging ballad "He Won't Fail," written by long-time collaborator Percy Bady.

2003 saw the birth of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, MI where Sapp is the Senior Pastor. A flourishing ministry, the membership has grown to over 1,000 and has seen a transition in Sapp from preacher and music minister to pastor. Cutting down significantly on dates and even in the recording process, Sapp directs his energy to being Pastor. "Being connected to Christ as their shepherd, Pastoring has made me much more sensitive to people and their needs. Now even when I get on stage to sing or to record I have that same mindset - being sensitive to what people need to hear when I minister musically," Sapp said.

Much like genuine praise is free from complicated phrasings, so is the simplicity of this album. It's the balance of Sapp's crisp, clear vocals matched with his signature runs with sing-able and timeless lyrics that make "Be Exalted" an album for the ages.