This will be the first time that Israel Houghton and New Breed has recorded together in five years. 

Admission for the event is free and there are multiple and times for you to choose from:

February 1 at 7:30 PM
February 4 at 7:00 PM
February 5 at 8:30 AM & 11:30 AM

I am really excited about the posibilities of this album. In my opinion, Israel Houghton and New Breed are much better together, than they are apart.

What do you think? Are you excited about this album?

This 14 track project features guest appearances by Dorinda Clark Cole, Keith Staten, Jonathan Nelson and Israel Houghton. Each artist adds a nice touch to the project. 

Donald Lawrence albums usually do not disappoint and "Your Righteous Mind" is no exception. You can get your copy of YRM on iTunes and Amazon.com. You can download the complete album on Amazon.com for $3.99. You may want to act quickly. There's no telling how long this deal will last. 

Have you heard YRM? What do you think about it?

Best Gospel Performance
Forever Jones-He Wants It All
VaShawn Mitchell-Nobody Greater
Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway-He’s Been Just That Good
Israel Houghton-You Hold My World
BeBe & CeCe Winans-Grace

Best Gospel Song
Beautiful Things-Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, songwriters (Gungor)
Better Than Hallelujah-Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford, songwriters (Amy Grant)
It’s What I Do-Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway)
Our God-Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Return to Sender-Gordon Kennedy, songwriter (Ricky Skaggs)

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Church Music-David Crowder Band
For Those That Wait-Fireflight
Beautiful Things-Gungor
Rehab-Lecrae
Hello Hurricane-Switchfoot

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Beauty Will Rise-Steven Curtis Chapman
Love God. Love People.-Israel Houghton
Pieces Of A Real Hart-Sanctus Real
Mosaic-Ricky Skaggs
Tonight-TobyMac

Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album
Times Like These-Austins Bridge
The Reason-Diamond Rio
Expecting Good Things-Jeff & Sheri Easter
Journey On-Ty Herndon
Live At Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River-Karen Peck & New River

Best Traditional Gospel Album
The Experience-Vanessa Bell Armstrong
A City Called Heaven-Shirley Caesar
Downtown Church-Patty Griffin
Here I Am-Marvin Sapp
All In One-Karen Clark Sheard

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
Get Ready-Forever Jones
Love Unstoppable-Fred Hammond
Triumphant-VaShawn Mitchell
Aaron Sledge-Aaron Sledge
Still-BeBe & CeCe Winans

So, there you have it. What do you think about the nominatins?

[img credit: treehugger.com]

It seems that change is something that has been a large part of Tye Tribbett’s life over the past year. From a musical perspective, he disbanded Greater Anointing (G.A.). The choir has been part of his music ministry since 1996.

From a personal perspective, he has had to deal with the issue of infidelity in his marriage. I’m sure this required him to endure many dark and challenging moments. Thankfully, the Lord has restored his marriage.

Through this series of change, Tye Tribbett has emerged with a new album entitled Fresh. This album is his first-ever solo project.

Fresh features 16 tracks that are simply heart changing. Even though Tye gives us a new sound, it is clear that his music is still all about God.

I’ve witnessed Gospel artists dropping their choirs and “going solo” in the past. When this happens, there isn’t much change in the music. Instead of being the choir with their name on the CD cover, those same people end up becoming background vocalists. That isn’t necessarily the case with this album. There are number of songs where Tye sings the background vocals himself. You won’t find ex-G.A. members singing the background vocals on every song of this album.

Fresh features some outstanding guest vocal performances from artists like Israel Houghton, Isaac Caree, Mali Music, Lowell Pye, Tim Rodgers and Shaylah Stevens. I think Tye did a good job of taking advantage of the unique talent that each artist brings to the table.

The first single from this album is a song entitled Fresh. This song is definitely different than most Gospel songs you’re accustomed to hearing.

A good portion of the song is recorded in auto-tune. I must admit that I’m not a big fan of auto-tune, so I wasn’t crazy about Fresh, the first time I heard it. Then, I began focusing on the message instead of the delivery of the message. Fresh is a good reminder that God has some new and great things in store for all of us. Fresh is now one of those songs that I can’t get out of my head. I posted Fresh on this site a couple of weeks ago. If you haven’t heard it already, you should definitely go check it out. 

Tye teamed up with Tim Rodgers on the soulful track Keep Me. As we go through life we need the Lord to wrap his arms of protection around us. This is one song that people are really enjoying. I also posted Keep Me a couple of weeks ago. Go listen to it and experience this song for yourself.

Good, All for You, and Free to Worship are three songs that are definitely different than what most people would consider Gospel music. These songs feature progressive beats synthesized instrumentation. I found them extremely enjoyable.

My favorite song on the entire album has to be Take Over. Once you listen to this worship song, you will quickly find yourself lifting your hands in the air. It won’t take long for you to enter the presence of God. I cannot wait to hear this song live. Take Over is one of those songs that nicely set the table for your worship experience.

In my opinion Fresh is one album that is simply outstanding! I love the way it blends so many different styles of music. Unfortunately, I fear that there may be a number of Gospel music fans that won’t appreciate Fresh, because it is not what they are accustomed to hearing. That is too bad, because they will be missing out on music that will really bless their soul.

On October 19th, Fresh will be available on Amazon.com and iTunes. I definitely suggest that you go grab a copy for yourself.

Attendees of this tour will get to hear music from the Love God. Love People. CD. In addition to that, Israel will highlight music throughout his entire career as a solo artist and with New Breed. Aaron Lindsey will be joining Israel on the tour along with guest appearances from Michael Gungor in select markets.

Upcoming Israel Houghton “Love Revolution Tour” dates are:

9/24   – Indianapolis, IN
10/3   – Fort Worth, TX
10/5   – Oklahoma City, OK
10/6   – Tulsa, OK
10/10 – Gaithersburg, MD
10/12 – Rochester, NY
10/14 – Toledo, OH
10/15 – Washington, DC
10/16 – New York City, NY
10/17 – Martinsburg, WV
10/18 – Long Island, NY
10/24 – San Antonio, TX
10/26 – Raleigh, NC
10/28 – Greenville, NC
11/3   – El Paso, TX
11/6   – San José, CA
11/12 – Seattle, WA
11/20 – Philadelphia, PA

For more information go to www.israelhoughton.net.

Will you go to see Israel Houghton in concert?

In the video, Israel talks about his ministry and recording his latest CD Love God. Love People. It is available on Amazon.com and iTunes.

This clip was edited to include only where Israel was featured on The Tonight Show broadcast.

The conference will take place Thursday, Sept. 30, to Saturday, Oct. 2, in Waco Hall on the Baylor University Campus.

A number of well know musicians will serve as presenters and workshop leaders. The artists that are scheduled to attend the conference include Israel Houghton, Jars of Clay, Rob Bell, Hillsong London, Louie Giglio, Leeland, Francis Chan, Gungor, Derek Webb, Charlie Peacock and Matt Haher.

This conference will give attendees a better understanding of music’s role in the church. The aim will be to promote diversity within music and give new inspiration to worship.

Some of the workshop topics will include: The Functional limits of Creativity; A Short History of Church Music, Worship and Justice; From Sunday to Sunday: A New Old Vision for Worship – liturgical spirituality for post-modern-semi-reformed-hipsters; Technology and Production; Electronic programming; and Children’s Education and Creative Identity.

I think this type of conference is greatly needed. In my experience, there are church musicians, worship leaders and ministers of music that need more guidance. They need to understand the imporance of song selection. They need to be creatively inspired.

For more information visit www.davidcrowderband/fantastical.

Do you think that a conference like this is needed? Is this the type of conference you would attend?

Don’t forget, Israel Houghton’s latest CD Love God. Love People. is still available in store. It is hot! You won’t regret checking this one out.

Israel Houghton is pictured with Ken Jeong (NBC sitcom, "Community") backstage at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Israel Houghton is pictured with Tonight Show Band leader Rickey Minor (center) and Aaron Lindsey (Israel’s longtime collaborator) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno set.

Israel is pictured playing live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno set.

I think quality artists have an inherent nature to want to evolve and do something different. When I listened to Israel Houghton’s new CD, Love God. Love People., I definitely heard something different. For those of you that thought The Power of One CD was just a phase, I can assure you that this is not the case. It was a turn in a different and new direction.

This project was recorded in the legendary Abbey Road Studios in England. This is the same studio where The Beattles recorded some of their music.

Love God. Love People. features 12 tracks that are each unique in their own special way. The song Love God. Love People. is a cry out to us all to make a difference and help change the world through love.

One of my favorite songs on the entire CD is Yahweh (The Lifter). If you have been an Israel Houghton fan over the last couple of years, you will find that this song has a very familiar sound. If you enjoy songs like You Are Good and Again I Say Rejoice, then you will love Yahweh (The Lifter).

As I reported in previous posts, a couple of guest artists lend their voices to tracks on this album. In Mercies, Kirk Franklin brings the energy and excitement that I have come to expect from him.

When you listen Surprises you will hear a duet with Israel Houghton and Fred Hammond that doesn’t disappoint. I really like how their voices blended together on this track.

There was time when you could by an Israel Houghton CD and immediately have 4 or 5 songs that your worship team could sing. It seems like those days are coming to an end. Don’t get me wrong. You will find a couple of songs on this CD that you will want your worship team to sing. I just don’t think there are as many of those types of songs when compared to previous Israel Houghton CDs.

There is a clear musical difference between Israel Hougthon as a solo artist and Israel and New Breed. Whether this is intentional or unintentional, Israel Houghton is giving praise and worship a new sound.

Despite that, I still think that Love God. Love People. is high quality music! You can grab your copy on Amazon.com or iTunes.

Have your head songs from the Love God. Love People CD.? If so what did you think about them?