As you know, Israel Houghton & New Breed are releasing a compilation album, titled Decade. It’s a two-disc project totaling 26 of Israel’s greatest hits over the course of the past ten years. You can click here to read my full review of Israel’s upcoming compilation project at gmc’s official website.

WELL, GospelPundit.com has partnered with Integrity Music to simply GIVE AWAY 5 copies of this must-have compilation. To enter, all you have to do is sign up for the GospelPundit Weekly newsletter below. And don’t worry– if you’re already signed up, then you’re already entered!

Five Winners will be selected at random and notified via email on Friday, March 9th.

Oh, and check out this promo trailer for Decade!

Over Stellar Awards weekend, Karen Clark Sheard announced the signing of the newest artist to her label, Karew Records– Jonathan Nelson!

After that, Jonathan tweeted and confirmed it, as did his twin bro, Jason Nelson. Jonathan was previously signed to Integrity Music, on which his latest album, Better Days, was released in 2010.

We can expect new music from Jonathan Nelson THIS YEAR.

Congrats Jonathan and Karew!

Associate Editor Troy Lilly reminds us about an oldie but goodie…

Back in 1996, a CD player was something you had installed at a Circuit City or Best Buy. I mean lots of people had Walkmans, but in the car, we were still listening to cassette tapes – one side at a time. Boy how the times have changed.

Anyway, that same year a guy named Keith Staten released an album called Worship in the House as part of Integrity Music’s “Urban Praise” series. You may (and should) remember Keith as one-fifth of a successful male ensemble during the late 80s and early 90s: Commissioned.

But this time the concept was a little different. Keith isn’t just singing with the guys, he’s out front. And instead of featured the cutting-edge studio production value of earlier Commissioned albums, this project was recorded live at Lifeline Christian Center Church to capture an organic worship atmosphere.

With songs like “Praise Looks Good on You,” “Awesome in This Place,” “Healing Grace” and “Lord I Thirst for You,” Worship in the House is essentially a collection of contemporary praise and worship songs recorded in a more urban and soulful vein.

Fred Hammond, who handled the production for his former Commissioned group member, adds just enough rhythm to make the 12 tracks groove-worthy, but not so much that they lose the authenticity of original versions by Don Moen, Gary Sadler, Hillsong and Alleluia Music. And now, more than 14 years later, the integrity of the sound and music still stands. However, the cassette tape I bought back in ’96 is long gone.

Thankfully, advances in technology have provided us with the compact disc and mp3 downloads, which means if you’ve never heard Worship in the House before, there’s a new, shiny copy waiting for you on iTunes and Amazon.com.

If you have heard the album before, feel free to chime in.  Either way take a(nother) listen. It’ll bless your life, I promise.

EJ’s note: According to Twitter reports, Keith Staten was JUST in the studio with Donald Lawrence– he’s making a guest appearance on Donald’s upcoming album, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), due in stores in the Spring of 2011.

If you haven’t already grabbed Better Days, the latest project from Jonathan Nelson, you need to do so TODAY– it’s only $5, but it’s only for today (Tuesday, December 7).

To get it, you have to order it directly from the online store of his label, Integrity Music, at integritydirect.com. Shipping is FREE.

Also, FYI– Jonathan is slated to perform his single, “Expect the Great,” on BET’s Celebration of Gospel, which tapes this Saturday in Los Angeles.

Who’s getting a copy (or two)?

So, by now, most of you have gotten the opportunity to grab Better Days, the latest project from Jonathan Nelson.

I know I can’t get enough of the band hits on “Cry Holy,” the incomparable vocals of Jason Nelson on “Another Way,” or the GRAMMY-worthy vocal performance from Kierra Sheard on “Performance” (it’s MAJOR to me).

But what about you?  You lovin’ it?  Just likin’ it a little?  Do you prefer this project to his Integrity debut, Right Now Praise?

What’s the word on Jonathan Nelson’s project???

EXCLUSIVE!!!

Hey folks, GospelPundit.com has partnered with Integrity Music to GIVE AWAY the 8th installment of Gotta Have Gospel!

EIGHT people will win a CD+DVD pack of Gotta Have Gospel 8.

To be ENTERED to win, all you’ve gotta do to win is tweet the following message EIGHT times (get the trend?) between TODAY and next Tuesday, October 5, 2010, when the album hits stores:

Enter to Win  Gotta Have Gospel 8 (2CD+DVD) B4 it comes out on 10/5 by RT’ing this 8 times! @integritymusic

If you don’t have Twitter, JOIN.

That’s about it.  Go!

Word has it that Integrity Music’s hit gospel compilation project, Gotta Have Gospel, will be returning to stores with its 8th edition on October 5th.

The project features 24 tracks, with a bonus DVD of gospel performances and music videos.

The track listing?  Glad you asked–

Disc One
1.  I Give You Praise – Byron Cage
2. Expect The Great – Jonathan Nelson
3. All Of My Help – Hezekiah Walker & LFC
4. How I Got Over featuring Tim Bowman, Jr. – Vickie Winans
5. Nobody Like You Lord – Fred Hammond
6. Every Prayer featuring Mary Mary – Israel Houghton
7. I Will Lift – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
8. Your Name Alone – Stephen Hurd
9. Lord You Reign Forever – Crystal Aikin
10. Jesus – Kirk Franklin
11. Free – Rizen
12. I Gave It Up – J Moss

Disc Two
1. Trusting In You – Donnie McClurkin
2. Let The Word Do The Work featuring Brother Hahz – Donald Lawrence & Co.
3. I Praise You – Shari Addison
4. Get Up – Mary Mary
5. It All Belongs To You – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
6. The Master Plan – Tamela Mann
7. Bless The Lord (Son Of Man) – Tye Tribbett
8. Worship Medley: I Worship You Almighty God/There Is None Like You/There’s Something About That Name – Marvin Sapp
9. All I Need – Brian Courtney Wilson
10. Free – Darwin Hobbs
11. Your Will – Ken Reynolds
12. Trading My Sorrows – PAJAM

DVD Footage
1. La Buena Vida (Romans 8:31) – Ken Reynolds featuring Lucia Parker
2. I’ll Say Yes – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
3. Just Wanna Say – Israel Houghton
4. Worship Medley: I Worship You Almighty God/There Is None Like You/There’s Something About That Name – Marvin Sapp

Sounds good, yes?

Who’s thinking of grabbin’ this one???

If you attended the AIM Convention this year, you’ve already seen this performance… but for those of us who couldn’t make it, I’m grateful for YouTube and a user named LYRIC1973…

Jonathan Nelson performed songs from his upcoming album, entitled Better Days, which will be released through Integrity Music on September 14th.  This particular video is footage of a song called “There Shall Be A Performance.” The tune is one of those catchy songs with clever and singable lyrics for which Jonathan Nelson is becoming known.

Plus, the song features Kierra Sheard, whose live performances ALWAYS remind me that she has more potential than most of us have seen. Can’t wait ’til it’s all revealed.

Anyway, I’m diggin’ it… from the verses to the vamp. I’d pump it in the car.

Check out the video here–

What do you think!?

Word has it that Israel Houghton is set to release his new album on August 31st, titled Love God. Love People.

The 12-track project features guest vocals from Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond and Take 6.  He’s also co-written a few tracks with wife Meleasa, Tommy Sims, Aaron Lindsey and Michael Gungor.  The album was recorded at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios (hence the visual homage to the Beatles’ Abbey Road album).

According to Israel, “Love God. Love People. is a return to a simple, foundational Gospel command: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.”

The full track listing for the project is as follows:

1. Love God Love People
2. Yahweh (The Lifter)
3. Love Rev
4. That’s Why I Love You
5. Others
6. You Hold My World
7. You Won’t Let Me Go
8. Our God
9. Mercies (feat. Kirk Franklin)
10. Surprises (feat. Fred Hammond)
11. Name of Love
12. Hosanna (Be Lifted Higher) (feat. Take 6)

Sounds niiiiiice!  Okay, talk to me– who’s pickin’ it up?!

Word has it that Integrity Music has launched a new program, Tweet 4 Track, in which Twitter users can get free downloads simply for sending Twitter messages about Integrity artists.

Artists in the program include Israel Houghton, Paul Baloche, Carlos Whitaker, Kari Jobe and more.

Well, that’s kinda easy!  Learn more about the program at http://www.tweet4track.com.

Anyone planning to Tweet 4 Track???