LeCrae’s Rehab project shows no signs of slowing– it’s back at #1 this week on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart, having taken a backseat to Tye Tribbett’s Fresh debut last week.

Also, remember how I said that Israel’s sudden disappearance from the Billboard chart last week must have been an administrative error? It was. Apparently, Soundscan numbers reported that he was actually in the #3 position in gospel music last week, but Billboard omitted his name from the line-up.  I blame a Billboard intern.

Anyway, all’s fixed now and the top 10 looks like this in gospel:

#1 | LeCrae – Rehab
#2 | Tye Tribbett – Fresh
#3 | Israel Houghton – Love God. Love People.
#4 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#5 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#6 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#7 | Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
#8 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
#9 | WOW Gospel 2010
#10 | Shekinah Glory Ministry – Refreshed By Fire

Based on the numbers, I believe that the Bishop Morton compilation I told you about this week could chart pretty high in the coming week.  And Aaron Neville’s released a new gospel project this week that, like Mavis Staples’ project, will likely get significant mainstream attention.  We’ll see.

What do you guys think???

Big congrats to Tye Tribbett, whose “Fresh” new album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week!  I am, in fact, listening to that album as I type this post.  Music for livin’.

Kudos also to Wess Morgan, who debuted at #10 with Under An Open Heaven. Also, kudos to Joe Pace who debuted at #11 with his newest project, Praise for the Sanctuary.

The top 10 looks like this:

#1 | Tye Tribbett – Fresh
#2 | Lecrae – Rehab
#3 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#4 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#5 | Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
#6 | Shekinah Glory Ministry – Refreshed By Fire
#7 | WOW Gospel 2010
#8 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live
#9 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#10 | Wess Morgan – Under An Open Heaven

I’m a bit dismayed that Israel Houghton’s Love God. Love People appears to have fallen from the #2 slot, totally out of the top 10 in just a week.  It’s so bizarre that I’m almost wondering if someone made an administrative error…

In any case, what do you think of the charts this week???

It’s week 3 of gospel hip-hop artist Lecrae’s reign at the #1 spot on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart.  Kudos to ya!

In fact, Billboard’s top 5 positions remain the same as last week, so kudos to all of ya.

The top 10 slots are as follows:

#1 | Lecrae – Rehab
#2 | Israel Houghton – Love God. Love People.
#3 | Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love
#4 | Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone
#5 | Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
#6 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
#7 | Shekinah Glory Ministry – Refreshed By Fire
#8 | WOW Gospel 2010
#9 | Myron Williams – Thankful
#10 | William McDowell – As We Worship: Live

Myron Williams sits at #9 with his new project, Thankful, which jumped #26, where it debuted last week. Interesting to see how far it climbs.  VaShawn Mitchell jumped from #8 to #6 this week, while WOW Gospel went from #7 to #8, with Shekinah Glory taking the #7 spot from last week’s #6. Just some musical chairs…

With new releases this week from Tye Tribbett, Wess Morgan and Joe Pace, I’m expecting a bit of a shake-up on the charts next week.  We’ll see…

What do you think?

To chat about Fresh, the new album from Tye Tribbett (in stores today), I wrote a guest review for the official website of gmc (formerly Gospel Music Channel).

You can check it out by clicking right HERE.

If you’ve read it, I’ll add the following:

Must-hear cuts on the album: aside from the title track, you’ve gotta listen to “Only Help,” “Take Over,” “Keep Me,” “Your Blood,” “Champion” and my absolute favorite song on the project, “Holding On.”

Do you have it already?  What are you loving on there so far?

Are you getting it?  When?

Are you NOT getting it?  Why not?

Talk to me!

The nominees for the 2010 Soul Train Awards were announced today.  Nods in the gospel category, “Best Gospel Performance, Male Female or Group” go to:

Youthful Praise feat. JJ Hairston | Fred Hammond | Marvin Sapp | Lisa Page Brooks | Hezekiah Walker & LFC | Tye Tribbett

Congrats to all of ya!!!

For a full list of nominees, click here.

The show, hosted again by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, takes place on November 10, but won’t air until November 28 at 9pm ET/PT on BET and Centric networks.

Who do you think is gonna take home the trophy?

Word has it that Integrity Music’s hit gospel compilation project, Gotta Have Gospel, will be returning to stores with its 8th edition on October 5th.

The project features 24 tracks, with a bonus DVD of gospel performances and music videos.

The track listing?  Glad you asked–

Disc One
1.  I Give You Praise – Byron Cage
2. Expect The Great – Jonathan Nelson
3. All Of My Help – Hezekiah Walker & LFC
4. How I Got Over featuring Tim Bowman, Jr. – Vickie Winans
5. Nobody Like You Lord – Fred Hammond
6. Every Prayer featuring Mary Mary – Israel Houghton
7. I Will Lift – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
8. Your Name Alone – Stephen Hurd
9. Lord You Reign Forever – Crystal Aikin
10. Jesus – Kirk Franklin
11. Free – Rizen
12. I Gave It Up – J Moss

Disc Two
1. Trusting In You – Donnie McClurkin
2. Let The Word Do The Work featuring Brother Hahz – Donald Lawrence & Co.
3. I Praise You – Shari Addison
4. Get Up – Mary Mary
5. It All Belongs To You – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
6. The Master Plan – Tamela Mann
7. Bless The Lord (Son Of Man) – Tye Tribbett
8. Worship Medley: I Worship You Almighty God/There Is None Like You/There’s Something About That Name – Marvin Sapp
9. All I Need – Brian Courtney Wilson
10. Free – Darwin Hobbs
11. Your Will – Ken Reynolds
12. Trading My Sorrows – PAJAM

DVD Footage
1. La Buena Vida (Romans 8:31) – Ken Reynolds featuring Lucia Parker
2. I’ll Say Yes – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
3. Just Wanna Say – Israel Houghton
4. Worship Medley: I Worship You Almighty God/There Is None Like You/There’s Something About That Name – Marvin Sapp

Sounds good, yes?

Who’s thinking of grabbin’ this one???

Word has it that the artwork has been finalized for Fresh, the upcoming album from Tye Tribbett, due in stores on October 19, 2010.  Check it out–

Whatd’ya think?!

I got my grubby little paws on the new single from Tye Tribbett, entitled Fresh, from the forthcoming album of the same name, in stores on October 19.

And, of course, I’m sharing it with you guys.

Click here to listen to the new single!!!

For my tastes, I would have preferred a BIT less autotune and effects because it’s hard to understand some of the words, but I really enjoy the beat and the chord progressions enough to scoot in reeeeaally close to catch the lyrics.  And I like ‘em!

By the way, I’m REALLY diggin’ the cover for the single.  It’s… FRESH!

What do you think?!

True Worship Retreat 2010, hosted by Lance Williams, returns to New Jersey from September 9-11, 2010.  This year’s conference is titled “Pursuing His Glory & Your Purpose.”

Speakers include Dr. John Guns and Bishop Liston Page.  On tap to perform this year are Dorinda Clark Cole, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Kathy Taylor-Brown and Martha Munizzi in a “Women In Gospel” concert.  In a “Next Generation” set, attendees will get a concert featuring Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Nelson, Kierra Sheard and JJ Hairston.

For more info, visit the official website for the retreat by clicking here.

Anyone planning to attend???

Word has it that Tye Tribbett’s new project, titled Fresh, will hit stores on October 19th.

In the video below, Tye shares the meaning behind the album’s title.

Check it out–

I’m eager to hear it! What about you???