Full disclosure– I love tons of new artists, but rarely get excited about ‘em.

It’s just that the concept of “longevity” in the gospel music industry is becoming increasingly foreign (maybe I’ll do a blog post about that later), so I rarely put my eggs of excitement into any new artist’s basket.

Immediately after listening to track 3 of More Than I Ever Had, the new album from developing group Rashad McPherson & Divine Purpose, I chucked away a few worshipful tears and immediately went to call Rashad McPherson’s team.  My sentiments: I am more passionate about this group’s raw ability and potential than ANY new artist I have seen in gospel music in a while.

Why?  A couple of reasons.

The artist format– frontman with an ensemble behind him– is familiar, but fresh because each of the singers with him can sing the walls DOWN (I’ve already got a personal fave from among them!).  The music is beautiful.  Just downright beautiful– lyrically, melodically, instrumentally.  McPherson has captured the sound of authentic “gospel,” and gives just enough to stir up nostalgic nuances of Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence or Hezekiah Walker, while still taking us on a musical journey into new terrain.

Rashad McPherson is a Berklee College of Music grad, as evident in the superb musicality you’ll hear in the tunes.  Standout tracks for me are “Everything You Are,” “The Promise,” “You’re My Reason For Breathing,” “I Would Be Lost Without You,” “He Made Me Well” and “More Than I Ever Had.”

I kid you not, nor do I intend to deceive and waste your money– if you adore contemporary gospel music by ensembles, you will not be disappointed by this project.  I endorse it wholeheartedly.  Big time.

To prove my point, I convinced Rashad McPherson to let me stream three tracks (I’m too excited) for you guys to listen to!

CLICK HERE to launch the PunditPlayer and Check ‘Em Out on the tracks ”Everything You Are,” “I Would Be Lost Without You” and “More Than I Ever Had.”  Geez… I also kinda wanna add “The Promise,” but I’ll wait… I believe you’ll still get a dose of what this phenomenal group has to offer.

And if you like what you’re hearing, listen to more and grab a copy of your own at CDBaby.com.  Also, make sure you connect with them on Facebook (click here) and on Twitter (click here).

Okay, folks– what do you think of what you’ve heard so far???

I got home last night and had myself a good ol’ time listening to all of my Walter Hawkins albums… I hit ALL the Love Alive albums (yep– all five of ‘em), before revisiting albums like Jesus Christ Is The Way and others.  And it dawned on me– y’all might not have this music, huh?

So, for a limited time, I’m giving you the Walter Hawkins PunditPlayer to hear some of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE songs of his from the past 40+ years.  It’s a total of 30 tracks!

I tried to flow with ‘em, but I couldn’t load ‘em all. You want more than 30, go’n and buy it (you probably should, anyway)!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!!!

Suffice it to say, you’ve not seen a playlist like this on GospelPundit.com, and you may not ever again.  If you’re a fanatic like me, let’s walk down memory lane.  If you’re learning more about him since his passing, listen… and you’ll understand who he is and how incredible he has been.

From my heart to yours, in celebration of the incomparable Walter Hawkins.  Enjoy!

Hey folks– just a heads-up to let you know that “Simply Redeemed,” the single from Isaac Carree, is now available at iTunes!  Click here to buy it.

And you know what THAT means… it’s comin’ off the PunditPlayer!

I’m not trying to be mean, nor do I EVER want to deprive of you of dope streaming audio, but I DO want to make sure that we, as a community, don’t become so accustomed to free listens that we think we’re entitled to free music all our days.

So, if you like it, please support it.  Cool?

GIVEAWAY!!!

I stumbled upon this audio clip and nearly flipped– it’s a vocalist performing the “Star Spangled Banner” and I’m guessing YOU won’t know who it is.

Think you can prove me wrong?  If so, you could win this artist’s ENTIRE CD CATALOGUE in an exclusive bundle pack!

You up for the challenge???

Instructions & Rules:

1.  Click here to launch the PunditPlayer and listen to the track titled “Star Spangled Banner.”

2.  Guess the vocalist singing that song!

3.  Email the singer’s name to giveaway@gospelpundit.com.  Put “MYSTERY VOCALIST” in the subject line and make sure you also include your full name and mailing address.   Enter only once– sending multiple emails will cause you to be disqualified from this giveaway.

4.  From among the correct answers, I will randomly select ONE WINNER to receive a bundle pack of the singer’s entire CD catalogue.

5.  This giveaway open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada.  Sorry to my buds on the other continents!

6.  This giveaway begins Friday, June 25, 2010 and ends on Sunday, July 4, 2010.  All correct entries must be received by July 4, 2010 at 11:59pm CST to be entered into the drawing.  The winner will be announced on Monday, July 5, 2010.

And that’s about it!

Oh, a quick hint:  to figure it out who it is, you might have to look across the aisle…

Let’s GOOOOOOO!!!

Juanita Bynum is returning to the music scene in a pretty big way.  Right off the heels of a release a few weeks ago, she announced a signing/joint venture with Music World Gospel, the first offering of which is an EP entitled Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh), the first in a trilogy of products, due in stores on June 22nd.

Though a widely-discussed and highly-debated topic on this blog and in Christian circles, Juanita Bynum’s ministry and reach is undeniably a force to be reckoned with– her chart-topping sales and high visibility demonstrate a loyal following of people whose lives have been significantly impacted by what she’s doing.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve just added her newest single, “Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)” to the PunditPlayer.

At first listen, I wasn’t really feelin’ it.  But I’ll be doggoned if I didn’t find myself singing “oh, oh, oh” while I was pouring my coffee this morning…

It’s catchy!

Click here to take a listen and tell me what YOU think of it!!!

EXCLUSIVE

The album version of “I Want To Say Thank You,” the newest single from gospel legend Lisa Page Brooks, is already getting increased airplay at radio.

HOWEVER, she recently recorded a LIVE version of the track and you’re getting an exclusive listen RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

Click right here to launch the PunditPlayer and lemme know what you think!!!

Just a quick heads-up, folks– Dayna Caddell is giving away a FREE download of her single, “What He’s Done,” at gmc’s official website.

In addition to being a great vocalist, Dayna Caddell is an awesome songwriter (she penned “Every Prayer,” recorded by Israel Houghton and featuring Mary Mary on Israel’s The Power Of One album).

I streamed “What He’s Done” on the PunditPlayer a while back and you folks looooved it.  Here’s your chance to grab your own copy.  Click here to download.

And for a little more information on Dayna, peep her promo video by clicking here.

Whatd’ya think???

TWO top 5 debuts this week!

CoCo Brother’s Stand album has debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week.  Click here for more info on the project and to listen to the lead single from it– “Moving Forward,” featuring Joann Rosario Condrey and Tye Tribbett.

AAAaaand Ashmont Hill… I TOLD y’all about sleeping on one of my favorite groups!  Seriously, they’re no joke. Click here to open the PunditPlayer and listen to their new single, “Your Masterpiece.”  It’s incredible to me.

The full top 10 breakdown looks a lil’ somethin’ like this…

#1 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#2 | WOW Gospel 2010
#3 | CoCo Brother – CoCo Brother Live: Stand 2010
#4 | BeBe & CeCe Winans - Still
#5 | Ashmont Hill – Your Masterpiece
#6 | Juanita Bynum – More Passion
#7 | CeCe Winans – Songs of Emotional Healing
#8 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#9 | Hezekiah Walker & LFC – Souled Out
#10 | Fred Hammond – Love Unstoppable

Okay, who’s got the new projects from CoCo Brother or Ashmont Hill?  Who’s planning to check ‘em out now???

Have you guys heard the debut single from Isaac Carree?

It’s an incredibly beautiful song called “Simply Redeemed,” penned by the legendary Tommy Sims and Marc Harris.  If you have Heather Headley’s debut gospel project, you might have heard it there as the opening track.  But don’t be fooled– different voices, different arrangements, different approaches… different songs.

Isaac Carree finesses this song with his own signature style, riffing with the acoustic guitar before building to a rousing vamp.  In my opinion, it’s a tasteful vocal performance that does a great job of introducing him as a solo artist (don’t fear, though– Men of Standard hasn’t disbanded).

Don’t just take my word for it– I’ve just added “Simply Redeemed” to the PunditPlayer!

Click here to listen!!!

And let me know what you think!!!

This Tuesday, May 25th, CoCo Brother will release a compilation album, CoCo Brother Live presents Stand 2010 on Tyscot Records.  It’s available for pre-order now by clicking here.

One of the songs featured on the project is a cover of the popular song, “Moving Forward,” featuring Joann Rosario Condrey and Tye Tribbett.  And I love it!

Aside from the fact that Joann is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated female vocalists and worshippers in gospel music, I’m liking the pairing with Tye Tribbett on this and the arrangement is tight.  You don’t have to take my word for it, though… for your listening pleasure, I’ve just added the single to the PunditPlayer.

Just click here to take a listen and lemme know what you think!!!