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”:

Who watched the the Grammys???

My predictions were actually rather on point.  I was 4 for 7!

See below.   The winners are in GREEN.  The folks I said are in YELLOW (unless I was right, in which case… just in GREEN, folks).

Best Gospel Performance

“I Understand” by Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Bebe Winans & Mariah Carey
Track from: Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Volume One

“East To West” by Casting Crowns
Track from: The Altar And The Door Live

“Get Up” by Mary Mary
Track from: The Sound

“Shall We Gather At The River” by Take 6
Track from: The Standard

“Waging War” by CeCe Winans
Track from: Thy Kingdom Come

EJ SAYS:  A little surprised by this, but I don’t think folks got it wrong.  Good job, Marys!

Best Gospel Song

“Cover Me” - James L. Moss, songwriter (21:03 With Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful & J Moss)

“Get Up” – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell & Eric Dawkins, songwriters (Mary Mary)

“Give Me Your Eyes” – Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)

“Help Me Believe” – Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)

“You Reign” – Jim Bryson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer, songwriters (MercyMe)

EJ SAYS:  Saw this comin’ a mile away.  The man writes a good song (I don’t care if you think you’ve heard it before!).  Lyrically, he does the whole “transparency” thing better than most songwriters.  Kudos!

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album

Hello - After Edmund

Our World Redeemed - Flame

We Need Each Other – Sanctus Real

Rock What You Got – Superchick

Alive And Transported – TobyMac

EJ SAYS:  Called it.  Makes me wanna get the album… anyone have it already?  How is it???

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

This Moment – Steven Curtis Chapman

What If We – Brandon Heath

Opposite Way – Leeland

Hello Love – Chris Tomlin

Thy Kingdom Come – CeCe Winans

EJ SAYS:  I really didn’t think they’d give it to CeCe Winans in THIS category, but it kinda confirms what I’ve been thinking– she may be the only superstar artist able to do both CCM and Gospel, and be accepted in both.  Others may dabble, but I dunno if they really succeed.

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album

Room For More – Booth Brothers

Lovin’ Life – Gaither Vocal Band

Steps To Heaven – Charlie Louvin

Hymned Again – Bart Millard

Ephesians One – Karen Peck & New River

EJ SAYS:  Duh.  I said GAITHER!

Best Traditional Gospel Album

Down In New Orleans – The Blind Boys Of Alabama

I’ll Say Yes – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Take It Back – Dorinda Clark-Cole

Deitrick Haddon Presents . . . Together In Worship – Voices Of Unity

Bishop Charles E. Blake Presents… No Limit – The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir

EJ SAYS:  I was surprised, but then not at all.  I mentioned name recognition a while ago… for some reason, The Blind Boys of Alabama are what gospel music is all about to many people in mainstream music.  And it’s not to say that they don’t deserve it, but I’ve known atheists who’ve said to me “wait… you like gospel music… have you heard of The Blind Boys of Alabama?”  I’ll allow it.

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

Reflections – Jason Champion

The Fight Of My Life – Kirk Franklin

The Sound – Mary Mary

Donald Lawrence Introduces: Family Prayer – The Murrills

Stand Out – Tye Tribbett & G.A.

EJ SAYS:  I said my prediction was gonna be controversial, but it was also RIGHT on the money.  Great albums all around (though, someone called me off-the-record to say “now you KNOW so-and-so shouldn’t be on that list”).

* * * * *

How accurate were you???  What did you think of the winners?

The Grammy Awards are this Sunday, February 8th, being broadcast live from Los Angeles.

When the nominees were announced, I said I’d give my predictions later.  It’s now “later” and here’s how I think the statue distribution might go…

Best Gospel Performance

“I Understand” by Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Bebe Winans & Mariah Carey
Track from: Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Volume One

“East To West” by Casting Crowns
Track from: The Altar And The Door Live

“Get Up” by Mary Mary
Track from: The Sound

“Shall We Gather At The River” by Take 6
Track from: The Standard

“Waging War” by CeCe Winans
Track from: Thy Kingdom Come

I’m predicting CeCe Winans on this one.  As I’ll mention throughout my predictions, name recognition goes a loooooong way with all of these music awards.  If folks haven’t heard the album, they think “hmm… Winans… they’re gospel legends.”  And they vote for them.  That’s not to say that she doesn’t deserve to win anyway, but I think she’s gonna regardless of merit.

Best Gospel Song

“Cover Me” - James L. Moss, songwriter (21:03 With Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful & J Moss)

“Get Up” – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell & Eric Dawkins, songwriters (Mary Mary)

“Give Me Your Eyes” – Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)

“Help Me Believe” – Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)

“You Reign” – Jim Bryson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer, songwriters (MercyMe)

Arrggh… I’m gonna say Kirk Franklin.  But I’d also like to see J. Moss win for ”Cover Me”… I think it’s a great song.

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album

Hello - After Edmund

Our World Redeemed - Flame

We Need Each Other – Sanctus Real

Rock What You Got – Superchick

Alive And Transported – TobyMac

I only know two of these people and, between ‘em, I am unfamiliar with both albums.  Here’s that name recognition business coming in: TobyMac.  I would also be thrilled if Flame won, but I dunno… In the end, rock and rap shouldn’t be in the same category, but that’s for another post.  I think people will give it to TobyMac.

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

This Moment – Steven Curtis Chapman

What If We – Brandon Heath

Opposite Way – Leeland

Hello Love – Chris Tomlin

Thy Kingdom Come – CeCe Winans

Tough category.  I’m persuaded to say Steven Curtis Chapman is going to take it home, regardless of the strength of the Winans name.  And a big part of me wants Chris Tomlin to win it cuz I soooo love his stuff and I think he’s underrated.  But I’ma say Steven Curtis Chapman.

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album

Room For More – Booth Brothers

Lovin’ Life – Gaither Vocal Band

Steps To Heaven – Charlie Louvin

Hymned Again – Bart Millard

Ephesians One – Karen Peck & New River

Yeah right.  I have no clue and neither do you!  Gaither.  Moving on!!

Best Traditional Gospel Album

Down In New Orleans – The Blind Boys Of Alabama

I’ll Say Yes – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Take It Back – Dorinda Clark-Cole

Deitrick Haddon Presents . . . Together In Worship – Voices Of Unity

Bishop Charles E. Blake Presents… No Limit – The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir

Oooooooh.  I want it to be Dorinda Clark-Cole.  BADLY.  But I dunno if she’ll beat the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  They kinda always win… plus, I have several friends in that choir.  Ummm…I’m gonna say Dorinda.  But if it’s Brooklyn Tab, don’t be surprised AT ALL.

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

Reflections – Jason Champion

The Fight Of My Life – Kirk Franklin

The Sound – Mary Mary

Donald Lawrence Introduces: Family Prayer – The Murrills

Stand Out – Tye Tribbett & G.A.

This is gonna be controversial.  I’m going to say Kirk Franklin.  I think Jason Champion did a great job getting the nod.  And we love him.    The Murrills are great to me and I waited for a looong time for this debut album, but I don’t think enough people knew about it.  Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett are mainstays, but I don’t know if people enjoyed their albums as thoroughly as Kirk’s.  So, after the scales are balanced, I think Kirk is taking it.

Okay.  YOUR THOUGHTS???

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.