New Releases
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Worship leader Stephen Hurd’s upcoming CD “O That Men Would Worship” was released on March 20th 2012 and is in stores Now!!.
This CD contains 15 powerful worship songs that feature some of gospel music’s top worship leaders, such as: Anthony Brown, Jason Nelson,Anthony Evans, and Deonte Gray. “O That Men Would Worship”, was recorded live at The First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD where Stephen is the minister of music.
The first song to grab you is “Be Strong” featuring Hurd and Minister Deonte Gray of the 7 Sons of Soul on lead. Gray masterfully ministers the song (getting his preach on in the vamp) through exhortations from scripture and personal experience with Hurd acting as the “amen corner”. The track features an all male background ensemble that is on point. It is easy for the listener to get wrapped up in the vamp (as I found myself) only to find out you are at the end of the song and there is no reprise
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Anita Wilson has stepped out in to the forefront as she releases her debut album entitled Worship Soul on April 3, 2012. Anita is best known for being one of Donald Lawrence’s lead vocalists.
Anita Wilson has spent the last few years backing a venerable list of who’s who in the gospel industry including Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, DeWayne Woods and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.Anita Wilson has also enjoyed success as a member of Donald Lawrence’s backing ensemble (referred to as the Company), showcasing her own inimitable style on “Happy Being Me” a track fromLawrence’s The Law of Confession CD. When not traveling, she can be found in ministry serving on the music staff and as Praise and Worship Leader at theFellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles Jenkins.
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Marvin Sapp’s highly anticipated new CD & DVD “I Win,” hit stores on April 3.
Marvin Sapp is on a promotional tour that has included stops in Chicago, Philadelphia, D.C., Atlanta and New York – where he made an appearance at the 14th Street Apple Store. Sapp performed songs from I WIN and was interviewed by Hezekiah Walker during this appearance. On street date, Sapp will appear at Stonecrest Mall in Atlanta.
I WIN is Sapp’s first CD since the passing of his wife MaLinda – who died of colon cancer in 2010 and it is the first live CD recorded outside of Sapp’s Grand Rapids, Michigan, hometown. Still, I WIN is indeed a musical triumph, with 10 brilliant tracks that reinforce Sapp’s sentiment that “because I endured, I won.”
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Fred Hammond knew he had a hit after his latest album, “God, Love & Romance” debuted at No. 1 onBillboard’s Gospel chart and No. 8 on Billboard’s Top 200.
The unusual collection of songs takes on matters of the heart and relationships from a Christian perspective.
“It’s been on my heart for about four years, and I was encouraged by my good friends Pastor Mike & Dee Dee Freeman (Spirit of Faith Christian Center, Temple Hills, MD) to finally do it,” Hammond says of his decision to record a collection of love songs. “A lot of times as men with Christian beliefs we don’t talk about the things that are really important to us in love relationships. I believe God uses not only my triumphs but He uses my tribulations, turmoil, and trials to help other people go through what they are going through.”
Despite its controversial position, Hammond dared to defy tradition and get the church to begin talking about love and relationships in a different way.
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JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise will release the highly anticipated album “After This” this spring.
One of gospel’s most highly acclaimed choirs is celebrating its sixth live recording, the first since the very popular “Resting On His Promise,” with the latest project.
Recorded live in July 2011 at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, Ct., “After This” showcases Hairston’s captivating gift in mixing traditional gospel with urban, contemporary and mainstream influences to create the distinctive sounds that have elevated JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise into one of gospel’s preeminent groups.
Featuring the title track as the first single, “After This” has been climbing the singles chart in gospel radio, vaulting into the top 15 as listeners hail its vibrant energy, clever rhythms and uplifting lyrics, encouraging faith and joy through troubled times.
The 12-track album will be released March 27.
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The multi-platinum selling sextet will release their highly anticipated Shanachie Entertainment debut,One, on March 27, 2012. Claude V. McKnight III, one of Take 6’s original founding members says of the group’s longevity, “The glue for Take 6 is that we consider this a Ministry. We are God’s group! We are also family in the sense that we care deeply about each other, and that helps keep us together. We have times when it gets tough, but we pull together because of the love we have for one another.”
“Take 6’s unique genius is unmatched on today’s music scene, and I can’t wait for the world to feel the joy and brilliance of their new album. They never sounded better,” states VP of A&R, Danny Weiss. The title track and first single from Take 6’s new recording One captures the genius behind what has made the acappella powerhouse a phenomenon for decades. The sure to be chart- topping single has an equally admirable video that features cameos from everyone from Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight to Lalah Hathaway. Stevie Wonder also joins Take 6 on One in a stirring rendition of his own beautiful composition, “Can’t Imagine Love Without You.” Other highlights on the CD include the groups own songs like “Working In You” and “Done My Best” and brilliant re-workings of such gospel stalwarts as “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “Farther Along” and “Take The Lord With You.”
