Whoo hoo! I dig her voice, so I’m happy…

LeJuene Thompson has announced her plans to release her next project, titled The Evolution of Me, this Spring. Her lead single, “Let God Do It,” hits radio this month.

A dynamic vocalist, LeJuene is well-known for her work with John P Kee and Donald Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers. She’s also got a couple of solo projects under her belt– Soul Inspiration (2001) and Metamorphosis (2008).

Produced by hubby and Grammy Award-winning producer-to-the-greats Cedric Thompson (Marvin Sapp, Donald Lawrence, Vanessa Bell Armstrong), The Evolution of Me will be showcased in just a few days during Stellar Award weekend in Nashville.

If you’re town, see her on January  12th at the Urban Soul Café event, on January 13th at the Preacher Kid Production’s “Friday Night Live” event, and on Saturday, February 14, at the Stellar Award After-Concert event at Hopewell Baptist Church.

Shirley Murdock’s new album, The Journey, is a 17-track collection of music with an underlying theme of encouragement running through them. It’s solid, though perhaps not astounding, as a demonstration of great vocals and heartfelt ministry.

With Grammy Award winner Cedric Thompson at the helm of production (Donald Lawrence,Karen Clark Sheard, LeJuene Thompson), The Journey is the culmination of the first live recording of Murdock’s career. And it’s packed with powerhouse vocals from favorites in gospel and mainstream music, including Kelly Price, Beverly Crawford and Regina Belle.

Standout tracks on The Journey include the urban soul-tinged groove “It’s In Your Hands,” ”Upward Way” featuring Regina Belle, and “Lord You Reign,” a building and beautiful worship chorus.

Also, look out for “He Is the Rock,” on which Beverly Crawford outright shines with Murdock, the piano-driven “Keep Lovin’ Me,” which features the incomparable Kelly Price on guest vocals, and the project’s inspiring first single, “Dream.”

Given her success as a touring mainstream artist, it seems that a live set like this would’ve come earlier. Murdock is a natural as she interacts with the audience. Her sweet and genuine personality translates beautifully to this album and leaves you just plain old enjoying her.

My only qualms with the project are that some of the songwriting could have been a bit stronger and, at the height of some of the singers’ ranges, there was audio distortion in the mix. Still, Murdock’s vocals do a great job of making a lot of the songs work well and it’s a pretty good offering.

The Journey hits stores on October 18, 2011 (Tyscot Records), but you can listen and pre-order it right now, right here–

Many folks anticipated a solo project from Monique Walker while she was still killin’ leads with Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Crusade Choir. Years later, she gives it and what did y’all do?  Slept On it.

Well, I didn’t!  The project was released last year and I still listen to it on the regular. Any Monique Walker fan would be super duper thrilled about her debut solo project, My Genesis.  She provides a variety of musical styles, from praise & worship to churchy ballads, and even some great urban stuff.  With production from heavy-hitters like Kevin Bond, Steven Ford, Fred Jerkins and Cedric Thompson, the album is masterfully crafted and well-done.

The single, “Crazy Praise,” didn’t get nearly enough play at radio, in my opinion.  Other fave tracks for me are “Psalm 61,” “Tried In The Fire,” “Starting Over,” “Right Now” (wowwww), “Greatest Gift,” and “I Can Make It.”

Here’s a video of her singing “Tried In The Fire,” on TBN. Watch… it’ll bless ya:

Do you have this album?  Did you sleep on it?  Talk to me!