Is it just me, or is gospel the only genre that allows (maybe expects, and even demands) artists’ names to follow the format of “So-And-So” & “Such-And-Such”?

Think about it… Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Myron Butler & Levi, DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet…

But it didn’t just start happening… there was Israel & New Breed, Kirk Franklin & The Family, Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ…

And before them, Richard Smallwood & Vision, Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family, Andraé Crouch & The Disciples…

And let’s not forget the choirs– Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Ricky Dillard & New G, John P Kee & New Life, Milton Brunson & The Tommies, O’landa Draper & The Associates…

Understand this– my absolute ALL-TIME FAVORITE gospel artists are mentioned above, so I’m not mad at their names at all.  Love you guys and you KNOW it!

I definitely think the the name choices make sense– ours is the only genre with the artist format of frontmen backed by an ensemble or a choir.

But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t refreshing when I hear creative names like Mary Mary, Excelsior, 21:03 and Mali Music.

In short, it’s not a good or bad thing, just… a thing.  A gospel thing.

Anyone noticed???

The holidays are upon us and I’m in a giving mood!

Today, I feel like giving away passcodes for some FREE digital downloads on iTunes!  Specifically, I’ve got the green light to give away tracks from an Integrity Music sampler, with Christmas music from various artists including Israel & New Breed, Hillsong, Kari Jobe, and more.

To win, just email me at ej@gospelpundit.com by TONIGHT, December 8th, at 11:59pm CST with the subject line “iTUNES Gift Card.”  In the email, tell me your name and city.

I’ll pick 10 folks at random, and I’ll email them back with the free download code.  Plus, I’ll name the winners on the site tomorrow.

I’ve got a BUNCH of these codes to giveaway, so it won’t be the last time I do this before Christmas. ‘Tis the season!

Tomorrow, GospelPundit.com turns ONE YEAR OLD!

It’s humbling to see how much growth my blog has experienced in just one year.  From hard-hitting interviews to exclusive premieres of highly anticipated singles, God has blessed me to play a pivotal role in the industry.  I’m blown away by that because I DO NOT deserve to fulfill all that He’s called me to do and be.

Moreover, I’m grateful to each of you for visiting the site on a regular basis, for telling folks about it, and for every encouraging comment or email I’ve received about it.  Daily readership continues to skyrocket and I promise that I’ll continue to give you my absolute best, for the glory of God alone.

I’ve got some major things planned for the coming year.  But, first, we’re gonna celebrate the past year!!!

Beginning MONDAY, I’m giving away a bundle of recent releases EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Each day next week, I’ll pose a question about SOMETHING I’ve said on the site in the past year.  Your task will be to find the answer and email it to me.  From among those emails, I’ll randomly select a winner to receive my hand-picked bundle pack of new music, which will include the new releases from BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Byron Cage, Israel & New Breed, Ted Winn, Kierra Sheard, J Moss, Rizen, Shirley Caesar, Coko, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise AND MORE… even an autographed copy of the newest album from Smokie Norful!  For real, guys… it’s big.  Kinda like the “new release JACKPOT.”

Do you hear what I’m saying?  Every day, ONE person will win about 20 new CDs.    Just my little way of sayin’ “thanks.”

Okay, so spread the word and get ready to celebrate all week long.  Sound good?

Love you guys.

I dunno how many of you knew about it, or how many of you have already bought it, but the new album from New Breed, Generation: Love, is pretttttty good.

As you’re probably aware, New Breed is the group that sings with Israel Houghton on most of his album releases.  On the 15-track project, member Daniel Johnson seems to step up as frontman, taking a big role in production and providing lead vocals on most of the tracks.  I haven’t listened enough yet to do a full review, but there are several songs that I really like.

Check ‘em out at www.newbreed.me for more info.

Anybody have it already???

The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) is gearing up for its 102nd Annual Holy Convocation, perhaps the last go ’round in Memphis, TN, where it’s been held since Jesus ascended to Glory.

Most folks get EXTRA excited for the musical component– it’s always star-studded and full of great performances.  This year should be no different.

From Vickie Winans, Melonie Daniels and Sheri Jones-Moffett to Israel & New Breed, God’s Image (G.I.) and Kevin LeVar, this year’s celebration has a little something for everyone.

Dates for the week-long event are November 2-9, 2009.  Visit http://www.cogic.com for more detailed info about who’s singing when and what not.

Anyone already planning to go?  I KNOW I’ve tons of COGIC folks here…

Some good new music came out yesterday.  I think you guys should check it out…

1. The newest album from gospel favorite Lisa Page Brooks, entitled Stronger;

2. The debut gospel project, Thankful, from legendary R&B group The Whispers;

2. The newest compilation in the Gotta Have Gospel series– Gotta Have Gospel Christmas;

3. The 6-track EP from former New Breed vocalist Leah Smith, Beautifully Made.

Which of ‘em are YOU buying?  Which have you already bought?

Hollerrrr at me.

Israel’s latest album is in stores (you got it yet???) and the results of our most recent poll are in…

Of the albums listed below, which is your FAVORITE from Israel & New Breed?

Live From Another Level- 28 votes (29%)

New Season - 23 votes (24%)

Alive In South Africa- 21 votes (21%)

A Deeper Level - 14 votes (14%)

Real - 12 votes (12%)

I hear that, I guess.  I think Live From Another Level was phenomenal, but my heart is always for New Season– it’s when I first learned of Israel… where his passion and his artistry first gripped me.  It’s nostalgic for me, so it got my vote.

What do y’all think of the results???

Thanks for voting.  Head over to the sidebar NOW to voice your opinion in the new poll… it’s not as deep, kinda just for fun:  When you hear “Best Dressed Female Gospel Artist,” you immediately think of…

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The short and sweet:  Really incredible.

The detailed version:  To me, this album sounds like happiness and freedom in worship.  I kinda wanna put it on and go on a road trip to some outdoor Christian festival.  Y’know?

The latest album from Israel Houghton, The Power of One, isn’t due in stores until March 24th, but rumblings about it have been around for months.  In fact, I wrote this review at the end of January and have been chompin’ at the bit to post it– all in due time!

It’s a solo album, so the vibe is a bit different from his other stuff, but it’s still got a tinge of that “New Breed” sound to keep it familiar for us.  I don’t think praise and worship teams will have much new music to copy, though, which is prolly a good thing.  Y’all need to settle down.  But I digress…

In addition to giving us more great music, this album succeeds in reminding us that Israel is a great songwriter, not a formulaic one-hit wonder, and an awesome vocalist (dude is SINGING on this album).  And with production from Tommy Sims and Aaron Lindsey, and guest appearances from Mary Mary and tobyMac, there’s a little something for everybody.

Standout tracks for me are “Just Wanna Say,” the single that I’ve already raved about in an earlier post, “Everywhere That I Go,” a feel-good, rockin’-out kinda deal, and “Saved By Grace,” a clap and dance-worthy anthem that made me knock into a couple folks on the subway a while back.  Sorry, lady!  I also groove HARD to “U R Loved,” a funky track that could’ve been a hit by Earth, Wind & Fire.  Oh, and “Every Prayer,” featuring Mary Mary… the folks are saaangin!

So, yeah, for the record, you’ve gotta get it when it comes out!

STAY TUNED for a stupendous CD Giveaway RIGHT HERE… coming sooner than you think.  In the meantime, check out Israel talking about the song concept for his hit single, “Just Wanna Say”:

I’m EXCITED about Freddy Rodriguez!

Remember when you first heard Israel & New Breed’s New Season album?  I remember thinking “oh… THIS may be what Kingdom music is supposed to sound like– something that appeals to every denomination, every church, every culture, every race, every person.”  I feel that way RIGHT NOW.

Freddy Rodriguez’s 14-track project, titled Light In The Darkness, was released on Integrity Music on Tuesday and I am telling you to BUY IT! The album, recorded live at his Las Vegas church, The Champion Center, is an incredible addition to the Body of Christ.

A bunch of comparisons between Freddy Rodriguez to Israel are being made and they’re neither surprising nor misplaced– not only are they friends and labelmates, they are both guitar-playing, songwriting worship leaders at large non-denominational churches.  But where Israel’s season seems to be shifting a bit (we may discuss that in a future post), Freddy Rodriguez is perfectly poised to take the cross-cultural praise & worship baton and run a loooong way.

Stand-out tracks for me are “I Will Run,” the first single from the album, which is quickly becoming my anthem for some stuff the Lord is dealing with me about.  POWERFUL song.  I also love the opening cut, “We Lift Our Hands,”  and “No Other Name.”

Mid-way through the project, the album seamlessly shifts into a section of passionate worship ballads that I simply love:  “Fallen,” is a beautiful love song to Christ, “Alone With You” is a heartfelt song that testifies to the joy of spending intimate time with the Father.

Really, all of the tracks are good. This is one of those albums that can just play through and be the background (or foreground) music for your entire daily worship experience. It’s that good, for real.  I encourage you to check it out.

Check out his MySpace page by clicking here.

And watch the video for his single, “I Will Run,” right here:

Well?  What do you think?

Israel Houghton is putting the finishing touches on his latest solo album, The Power of One, which will be released on March 24, 2009 on Integrity Music/Columbia Records.  The album features co-writing from long-time writing pals Aaron Lindsey and Tommy Sims, and guest performances from Mary Mary (on the powerful ballad “Every Prayer”) and tobyMac (on the rock track “You Found Me”), among others.

This album represents a return to the studio for Israel, as he hasn’t released a full studio album in a while– maybe Real, released in 2002, which STILL gets heavy rotation on my playlist.  And even though it’s a solo album, we’ll probably still get a little bit of that “New Breed feel” on some tracks.

The multiple Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award winner says that the theme of his upcoming album is in line with the message of much of his later music– “social and global concerns, focusing on identity and the purpose of God in everyone’s life.”

Now, I’ve spoken with several people who felt that Israel’s music was becoming somewhat formulaic– still great music, mind you, but predictable.  And I could see that point.  But I’m actually really excited to hear this album!

This is the first time that I’ve heard his musical objective articulated so well.  He’s linking the connection between worship and justice– and that’s desperately needed in this industry.  We all love a song that inspires worship about what God has done for us.  But how many artists write music to praise God for breaking the chains of child prostitution or slavery for a stranger in a third-world country?

Anyway (*stepping down from soapbox*), look for the album.  It sounds promising and I really think it’s gonna deliver.