The new compilation project from Jawn Murray and EMI Gospel, Jawn Murray Presents: Untapped, is in stores TODAY.

The project is the culmination of a major talent search launched by the label and Murray at the top of this year. From over 300 entrants, 10 winners were selected based on judging criteria and feedback from industry pros including Dr. Bobby Jones, Gerard Bonner (Bonnerfide Radio), VaShawn Mitchell, and Lexi.

The winners and track listing for the project are:

1. The Love Of God – Tasha Page-Lockhart
2. Awakening – Brian C. Reeves & Heart After God
3. Bless Your Name – Derrick Bull & Remnant
4. Your Love – Joy Lewis
5. You Can Live – Charles Butler & Trinity
6. I Am Free – Tobbi White-Darks
7. Rest On Me – Tonia Hughes
8. Cry Out – Lawrence Flowers & Intercession
9. How Great Is Our God – Madelyn Berry
10. 2nd Chance- F’lana Barton

One of the winners will also be signed to a national recording contract with EMI Gospel, to be announced next year.

This compilation promises to highlight some of gospel music’s best undiscovered/not-widely-known talent. Check it out!

It’s no secret that Donald Lawrence is one of my favorite artists in gospel music.  There aren’t many artists who can honor the rich heritage and sound of gospel, while still adding their own element to it.  He’s not of this era– he’s got few contemporaries– but he’s still relevant. That’s not an easy feat.

In case you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to read my album review at gmc’s official website.  That’s my official and formal deal on Donald Lawrence’s new album, YRM (Your Righteous Mind).

Here, I’ll allow myself to be a fan, just chattin’ about my favorite parts of the project… let’s go!

The a cappella intro to D. Lawrence’s remake of Commissioned’s “How Can We Sing (In A Strange Land)”… perfection.  And it only gets better, as Keith Staten and Jason Nelson take turns on lead.

Listen to “Spiritual,” the latest single from this album, to hear how masterfully Donald incorporated the classic “fruits of the Spirit” segment from the Clark Sisters’ 1981 tune “Walk In the Spirit” (Twinkie was before her time, by the way). THIS type of stuff is where he shines.

If you attended any of the regional Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound events last year, you probably remember Marvin Sapp and CeCe Winans performing the Walter Hawkins classic “When the Battle Is Over” with Donald. On the album, singers Kim McFarland and Dante Hall (one of Donald’s newer full-time vocalists) tag team on it. It’s gospel like it’s s’posed to be.

There aren’t many duos like sisters Tobbi and Tommi.  And they demonstrate it on their remake of Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire.”  The bass line is true to the original, which is wise– this feels like a great, updated version of something we’re still jamming to anyway.

I adore the complex harmonies on the vamp of “The I AM Factor.”  That, with the string arrangement… wow!

Aaaand Floyd Wilkinson’s performance of the Daryl Coley tune “II Chronicles,” is a more-than-fitting pairing. He executes it with precision and passion– definitely a fave.

Other stand-outs for me are “Second Wind” (featuring Anita Wilson) and “We Agree” (featuring Israel Houghton), the latter of which is a refreshing and unexpected pairing.

In a nutshell… buy it.

By the way, for street day (August 9, 2011), Amazon.com is selling it for $3.99!
Grab it here!

It was a good show, I guess.  But I have to say that I’m kinda tired of the same music videos now.  Like, reeeeaaaally tired.

Also, the choir “battle” was NO good for me… it seemed more like a subtle disagreement. And I love how diplomatic Donald Lawrence was in his critiques of them– stripping away the eloquent and encouraging words, though, I think he was basically just saying “me no likey.”

BTW, how THRILLED were we to see Donald Lawrence on the show?!  He did a great interview and sang “Let the Word Do the Work.”  The audience got with him more than they have with some of the more “urban/youth” artists.  Hmmm… makes you wonder what folks are really lookin’ for.

And I gotta shout out some of the sickest most enjoyable singers in the game– the “Co.”  (See?!  I’m using positive words, Donald!)  Only three of ‘em were there– Anita Wilson, Tobbi White-Darks and Blanche McAllister– but they were on point, as usual, doggone it!

What did you think???