The chart-topping, vocal-clobbering Le’Andria Johnson releases her second project, The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson, on February 14, 2012.
It’s another EP– 7 tracks including “Leap Into My Destiny.” Production credits go to Grammy-winning Raphael Saadiq and Eric Dawkins. Check out the album cover and track listing below!
The nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards were announced tonight during a live telecast on CBS.
In the gospel categories, the nominees are–
Best Gospel/CCM Performance
“Do Everything”
Steven Curtis Chapman
Track from: re:Creation
[Sparrow Records]
“Alive (Mary Magdalene)”
Natalie Grant
Track from: Music Inspired By The Story
[WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]
“Your Love”
Brandon Heath
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records]
“Jesus”
Le’Andria Johnson
Track from: The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson
[Music World Gospel]
“I Lift My Hands”
Chris Tomlin
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]
Best Gospel Song
“Hello Fear”
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)
Track from: Hello Fear
[Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]
“Sitting With Me”
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary)
Track from: Something Big
[Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It's Tea Tyme, That's Plum Song]
“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes)
Track from: YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]
“Trust Me”
Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision)
Track from: Promises
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]
Best Gospel Album The Love Album
Kim Burrell
[Shanachie Entertainment]
The Journey
Andraé Crouch
[Riverphlo Entertainment]
Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
[Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]
Something Big
Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]
Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Music World Gospel]
Best CCM Song
“Blessings”
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)
Track from: Blessings
[Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]
“I Lift My Hands”
Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: And If Our God Is For Us…
[Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]
“Strong Enough”
Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West)
Track from: The Story Of Your Life
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]
“Your Love”
Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)
Track from: Leaving Eden
[Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]
Best CCM Album Ghosts Upon The Earth
Gungor
[Brash Music]
Leaving Eden
Brandon Heath
[Reunion Records]
The Great Awakening
Leeland
[Essential Records]
What If We Were Real
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]
Black & White
Royal Tailor
[Essential Records]
And If Our God Is For Us…
Chris Tomlin
[Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]
If you recall, NARAS significantly revamped the awards categories this year, chopping down 7 categories to 5, and crunching all of it into either “gospel” or “Christian contemporary music (CCM)”… it’s cleaner, though it may unfairly treat some very significant sub-genres (like Christian hip-hop).
*shrug*
A full list of nominees in all categories can be viewed here.
Amber Bullock, the most recent winner of BET’s Sunday Best, will release her debut album, an EP titled Thank You, on December 6, 2011.
The project, produced by Eric Dawkins, will feature studio recordings of the songs that she performed on Sunday Best.
The first single is the title track, her remake of the Walter Hawkins classic “Thank You.” Also, expect to see Kurt Carr’s “For Every Mountain,” J. Moss’ “We Must Praise,” Dorinda Clark Cole’s “If It Had Not Been For the Lord,” Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God,” the Negro spiritual “A City Called Heaven,” and Karen Clark Sheard’s “Secret Place.”
Don’t forget– Amber is also joining Kirk Franklin’s Fearless Tour as special guest artist. She’ll have her own 15-minute set and be featured with Kirk. Click here for more info on the tour.
*switching from reporting to blogging*
An EP of the Sunday Best songs?!
I want some new music from Amber.
But, I cannot lie– it makes great business sense. Music World Gospel has got a Sunday Best business model going. Cookie-cutter? Yes. Successful? Double yes. Just look at Le’Andria Johnson’s sales…
Folks, I got my hands on the newest single from Brian Courtney Wilson, fresh from the lab!
It’s a new tune called “So Proud” and it features Wilson’s soulful crooning voice… it’s just good, uplifting music.
But you don’t have to take my word for it– I’ve just added it to the Pundit Player on the bottom of your screen. Take a listen and lemme know what you think.
“So Proud” is from Brian Courtney Wilson’s upcoming album, expected sometime in early 2012. More details as I get ‘em!
After announcing recently that it had signed Le’AndriaJohnson to an exclusive management deal, Music World Gospel announced plans to release another EP from the powerhouse vocalist. This one– her first holiday project, Christmas Best. Check out the album cover–
The album will receive an exclusive release at Best Buy on November 21, 2011, followed by an unlimited release on December 6th.
The final track listing has not been released yet, but Christmas Best is said to feature a duet with BET Sunday Best Season 4 winner Amber Bullock on “Silent Night,” as well as Le’Andria’s own renditions of “Noel,” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Oh Holy Night.”
That’s enough tracks for an EP right there, so that may be your track listing.
I’m not mad at a Christmas album from Le’Andria. I will say, however, that I’m ready for a full album. I fear that, once it finally comes around, consumers will feel like they’ve given plenty of money in a short amount of time and they’re not about to shell out more.
But, if the LP is incredible, I guess it won’t matter much, now will it?
Associate Editor Troy Lilly chats with Micah Stampley, whose new album, One Voice, hit stores on October 18th…
Troy: Thanks for joining me man. How are you?
Micah: I’m well, Troy.
Troy: Great, great. Shall we jump right in?
Micah: Sure.
Troy: What makes the “Micah Stampley sound” different from others in gospel?
Micah: I have many peers who grew up like I did – in the church – and we had other influences outside of the church. I tend to embrace those influences differently than some of my peers. I spend a lot of time in prayer asking God for something different. My heart is always to have music that is not one-time wonder material, but music that will last forever.
When I first heard the song “Take My Life” (which people call “Holiness”), it was originally a Christian rock song, very grungy with distorted guitars screaming. And the lyrics and the notes just hit me in a different way, so I went home and started playing it on my keyboard and what I came out with was more intimate, more worshipful. It sounded like a prayer to me. Then my interpretation hit like crazy. That just let me know that God was honoring my prayer that he would give me a staple sound.
Troy: Awesome. So, if you could only describe your new album, One Voice, in one word, what it would it be?
Micah: Multicultural.
Troy: Ok, now feel free to expound…
Micah: You told me “one word!” (laughter)
Troy: I know, I know … but I knew you’d have a lot more to share. (laughter)
Micah: Well I did one cover song on from a CCM band called Desperation Band. The song is called “Overcome” and it’s a big song in the CCM world. At our church in Houston, the congregation looked like a bag of Skittles, and I just feel that’s what heaven looks like. My sound has really emerged into this oneness.
I grew up in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC)…
Troy: Me too!
Micah: Everything was a sin. I used to ride my school bus in junior high and I would hear all these songs and chord progressions that I never heard before… you know Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors…”
Troy: Yeah.
Micah: I would hear all that stuff– Michael Jackson, and Prince singing “Purple Rain.” I would be like “oh, I like this stuff.” (laughter) I developed a different ear. So, I think that One Voice represents my interpretations of the different sounds I’ve heard since I was a kid.
I have this one pop tune, “Call of Love,” that kind of puts you in the mindset of the Black Eyed Peas joint, “I Got a Feeling.” It has that same vibe to it man. When Matthew Knowles heard it, he said “this sounds like a theme song for some big humanitarian movement.”
We have a few songs on this record like that, like the title cut, “One Voice,” and it’s just that whole global sound. When we sing that song live, people in the audience grab each other’s hand and swing back and forth like it’s “We Are the World.” It’s crazy, but really cool to see it happen.
And you know I gotta have my praise and worship stuff on there…
Troy: Of course!
Micah: …Stuff where I’m at a level 10. I’ve gotta have that “War Cry” and “Holy Visitation,” but that type of song on this record is the one called “Hosanna.” And, man, I promise you that song is probably the next “War Cry.” This may even be stronger!
Troy: Wow, even with the three reprises on “War Cry?” Because I remember you kept coming back each time we thought it was done.
Micah: Yeah, the people wouldn’t let “War Cry” go. This time, we don’t have any reprises, but what’s happening when I sing “Hosanna” live… the audience hijacks my song every time! But that’s a good sign. It’s a strong record.
Troy: Great. So tell me about the lead single, “Heaven on Earth,” since that’s the first thing people are hearing from this new project.
Micah: Not sure if you’re familiar with David and Nicole Binion…
Troy: Yes, I am…
Micah: Well, David wrote that song with some of his colleagues and I heard it when he visited our church in Houston. And I was just done! I was just weeping, and I said, “I have to record this song.” Then, I heard that Israel [Houghton] was going to record it. But when he put out his album, I didn’t see it on there. So I said “Uh, it’s mine!” (laughter)
David and Nicole told me to please record it. And that song has really been a blessing to me. Because if you think about the message of that song – heaven on earth – it’s a declaration, literally giving God permission to duplicate himself in us on the earth, because he created us from the earth.
Troy: You’ve mentioned before that you wife, Heidi, frequently writes with you on your projects…
Micah: My wife and I write most of my projects together. We have a couple songs on each record that we write individually, but the best songs are the ones we write together. God has just given us this ability to merge all these different influences and sounds together, and this is what we present to you guys, which comes from a place of pain, of victory and defeat, ups and downs.
Troy: How much did she contribute to One Voice?
Micah: Oh my God! Heidi wrote her butt off on this record!
Troy: (Laughter)
Micah: On most of the songs that we wrote together, I wrote the music and she penned the lyrics. There are a few songs on there where we switched places. But God really used her lyrically on this album.
There’s one song I did at the AIM Convention this summer, called “Desperate People.” And if you grew in church like me, you’re sick of the ritualistic mumbo-jumbo.
Troy: Yes.
Micah: The song says (singing), “I’ve seen the God of wonders work miracles in me, those with gifts and talents who spoke prophetically. I want the mantles of Elijah, Paul and Timothy; I want to see that power at work inside of me. I’m tired of the status quo, gotta be more than this. Gotta be more, gotta be more, gotta be more than this.”
Troy: Wow.
Micah: The lyrics of this song really pull at people’s heart and people are running to us saying ”this is what I’ve been trying to say forever.” I ministered that song in Nigeria and they literally cried out to God on the floor. It’s really refreshing.
Troy: Do you feel like this new album is your most defining work so far?
Micah: To be honest, Troy, I do think this is my best work to date from a musical and lyrical standpoint.
Troy: So to go back to your early career, you won the Stellar Awards Star Search in 2004. What happened after you won that competition? Was it a positive experience, average or other?
Micah: It was definitely a huge, positive experience for me. It was my introduction to the industry as an artist. After that, I got a call from Marcus Dawson, Bishop T.D. Jakes’s road musician, who had heard me prior to the Stellar event. He had been telling Bishop Jakes about me and Bishop finally told Marcus, “Ok, let’s invite him, but he if he messes up, it’s off with your head!” (laughter)
Troy: (Laughter)
Micah: So they called me in ’04 and I was invited that February to the Potter’s House. The power of God hit that place so hard during the second service that Bishop [Jakes] couldn’t even preach. That’s how heavy it was! And he offered me a recording contract on the spot.
Troy: Just like that?
Micah: Yes. Ever since then it has been nonstop. I’ve traveled with him across the world… to Africa, Australia, you name it. He provided the platform for my ministry and pushed me out there. I’m so grateful to Bishop, and he and I still text and talk. We still have a great relationship.
Troy: Well, the reason I asked you that is because we have more mainstream gospel competitions now. And most singers aren’t fortunate enough to have a “Bishop Jakes” as a friend and mentor – or business partner.
Micah: Right.
Troy: Do you feel authentic artists can be launched through shows or competitions like Sunday Best, where contestants have to sign contracts and agreements often before they sing a single note?
Micah: I don’t! I’m so glad you asked me that because I’ve never had an opportunity to answer a question like that or even speak of it. I don’t think that’s a wise thing to do. Now, I believe in the platform, yes, but I do not believe that artists should be forced to sign agreements when they don’t even have legal representation.
Troy: Ok.
Micah: I’m a minister and I’m a worshipper – people get that from my music – but I know how to handle business. I was negotiating one contract for an entire year before I signed it. I don’t take any of that lightly.
I think they need to understand what they’re signing and not just be gifted, because you can be a household name… and poor, broke and hungry. That’s not God’s will. But artists can easily be taken advantage of because they’re so caught up in the hype that they neglect the business side. My wife and I talk to a lot of artists who ask us for guidance and counsel. They wonder how we’re prospering in spite of vying against the major companies for airplay on the radio, and shelf space in the retail store.
God has blessed us because we made an effort to understand that side of the business. And even beyond that, you have to know where you’re going as an artist whether you are traditional, contemporary, praise or worship and any other style.
Troy: I’m glad you finally got a chance to express that.
Micah: Yes.
Troy: With that being said, tell me about your partnership with Music World Gospel. Frankly, are you in charge or is Matthew Knowles in charge?
Micah: It’s my record company that has entered into a joint venture with Music World. I never signed a deal with Music World as an artist. It’s not necessarily a distribution deal, but we use their channels to distribute. However, we still have the option to go through other channels as we are our own label.
Troy: So basically, you’re in charge? (Laughter)
Micah: (Laughter) I own my work, we own the masters together, but it’s a good thing for us. I want to be that example to show other artists that, ‘hey, you can do this.’ Sit down and read, ask questions and understand before you sign that dotted line.
Troy: Good, good advice. Do you plan to introduce any new artists on your Interface label? Is there anyone we should be looking out for?
Micah: Be on the lookout for Joey Oscar. He’s a drummer and he’s got this global sound. But if I told you it was a drum album, you wouldn’t listen. It’s an instrumental record. But he’s also my drummer and a phenomenal producer. And… he’s married to my wife’s sister, so he is also my brother-in-law.
Troy: Oh! Awesome, keeping it in the family…
Micah: Yeah, but he is incredible.
Troy: I’m excited to hear it. I want to thank you for sharing with me today, from the One Voice record – which I love – to some of the great advice you gave for folks trying to break navigate wisely through the industry. It’s appreciated.
Micah: You’re welcome, and thanks to you as well man.
* * *
Check out our full album review of Micah Stampley’sOne Voiceright here.
And be sure to listen to snippets/buy it right here–
Le’Andria Johnson, returns to #1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart this week, with Jessica Reedy’sFrom the Heart following right behind at #2.
Isaac Carree also made a notable jump with his solo debut, Uncommon Me, from #9 last week to #3 this week.
Here’s the full Top 10 on the charts…
1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
3 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
4 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
5 | Lecrae – Rehab
6 | 116 Clique – Man Up
7 | CoCo Brother – Gospel Mix V
8 | WOW Gospel 2011
9 | Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle
10 | Andraé Crouch – The Journey
VaShawn Mitchell’sTriumphant Deluxe Edition and Music World Gospel’sUltimate Gospel Vol. 1 are among this week’s new releases. I’m curious to see if they’ll make an appearance in the Top 10 next week.
Micah Stampley releases his fifth album, One Voice, on October 18, 2011 on Music World Gospel. The 14-track project has been dubbed by Stampley as “a call to every culture, every nation, [and] every race” that would “cater to people from all walks of life.”
Indeed, One Voice provides a bit of something for everyone. In doing so, though, it may fall just short of providing a solid collection of music for a specific audience. By appealing to “many,” it may miss the “one.”
There are awesome songs on here, for sure, like the album’s opener, “Heaven on Earth.” It’s a rousing anthem, written by David Binion, and it builds well as Stampley launches his lead vocal to the top of its signature soaring range. Music ministers, take note– I’ve seen this song powerfully change the course of a church service.
“Overcome” is another great worship cover and it transitions very well into the worshipful “Worthy,” such that the two tracks sound like a unit. ”We Need The Lord” is another solid praise & worship tune that could easily translate well in Sunday morning services. Stampley’s lead on it is both dynamic and passionate.
Outside of these tracks, the lyrics, melodies and themes may not be as “familiar” to the gospel audience. But that’s okay– it seems that Micah Stampley’s call has long been one to the nations, and I think that’s where this album will be most successful.
Though I cringe as I type this (because I wish it weren’t true), songs about a global gospel community do not always resonate with the U.S. gospel community. Take a look at the radio charts and you’ll see that, with few exceptions, we’re rather concerned with how God interacts with us, individually, and vice versa.
One Voice, while admirable, may not yet be the heartbeat of every Believer who would buy this. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not timely and necessary.
In either case, take a listen to some snippets, judge for yourself, and pre-order/buy it right here–
Music World Gospel has prepared its first of a new gospel music compilation series, to be released in digital form only.
Hitting stores tomorrow, October 11th, the Ultimate Gospel Vol. 1 compilation features music from artists on the Music World roster, including Trin-i-tee 5:7, Brian Courtney Wilson, Micah Stampley and Michelle Williams (whose two gospel albums were released under the label).
Check out the track listing–
1. Just Love – Brian Courtney Wilson
2. Listen – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
3. Heard A Word – Michelle Williams
4. I Need You – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
5. All I Need – Brian Courtney Wilson
6. Peace – Pastor Rudy
7. Do You Know – Michelle Williams
8. I Believe – Micah Stampley
9. Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh) – Juanita Bynum
10. The Corinthian Song – Micah Stampley
The votes have been tallied and it has just been announced that AMBER BULLOCK has won this season of Sunday Best on BET!
After a season of great vocal talent, the public has selected Amber Bullock over finalist Andrea Helms to win the title. Along with it, she has won a national recording contract with Music World Gospel, a cash prize and a brand new 2011 Ford Explorer.
Folks, I got my hands on the newest single from Brian Courtney Wilson, fresh from the lab!
