New Releases

New releases for April 27, 2018

The Gospel

Love this song from Ryan Stevenson and thought the video was really well done. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and the lyrics very thought provoking. Enjoy. 

New Release Friday

Tomorrow is an exciting day for new music releases. Here's the list.

"There is More" from Hillsong Worship

"No Matter What" from Ryan Stevenson

   

"Miracles" from Hawk Nelson

  

"I Am Reminded" from Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"Honor The First Families of Gospel Music" from The Hoppers

Is He Worthy?

Thought this video from Andrew Peterson's new CD, "Resurrection Letters Vol. 1",  was appropriate as we take time remember the sacrifice Jesus paid for us this Good Friday. He alone conquered sin and death, and He alone can cleanse us from our sins, He alone is worthy!

 

                                                                                           

Can I Get A Witness?

Life is full of seasons. And every single day of life, we deal with changes, we deal with tragedy, we’re dealing with stress, we’re dealing with anxiety, we’re dealing with joy, happiness, and blessings. But, as believers, we have the amazing confidence that God is sovereign over all things. Over all change, over all seasons. And the beauty is that His love and His mercy and His grace, it covers everything. And that’s what my song witness is truly about. It’s about coming together as a church, coming together as a community, and acknowledging the sovereignty of God together. So, can I get a witness? – Jordan Feliz

 

His CD "Future" releases tomorrow.  

 

I Can Only Imagine

                         I Can Only Imagine the movie 
                          opens in theaters today!
                               

Jesus I Believe Tour

Big Daddy Weave with Brandon Heath

Fair Haven Church - 2900 Baldwin St. - Hudsonville, MI

Ticket Prices (Additional taxes & fees may apply):

Ministry Partner: $75
Ministry Partner ticket includes preferred seating in the first few rows, a post-concert photo opportunity with the band, an exclusive tour pass, plus an additional concert ticket will be donated to a ministry organization to bless someone.

Early Entry: $35
Want to beat the rush and get early access to great seats? This is the ticket for you! Doors open at 5:45pm. Concert begins at 7:00pm.

General Admission: $20
Seating on a first come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:00pm.

 https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1625667
 Ticket Support: Please e-mail tickets@transparentproductions.com or call 714-545-8900.

Let There Be Light

Dove Review

Kevin Sorbo gives a tour-de-force performance as Dr. Sol (Solomon) Harkens, a popular author and debater against the possibility of the reality of God and Christ. In fact, his latest best-seller is titled, Aborting God: The Reasoned Choice. There is a reason for his nasty dislike of the Almighty; his son Davy died of cancer and Sol says if there is a God, he wouldn’t be interested in speaking to Him. Interestingly enough Sol’s ex-wife, Katy (Sam Sorbo), continues to tell him she will pray for him.
Shortly after touting “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” during his public debate, he is drinking and driving when he loses control of his car and crashes. He is clinically dead for four minutes, and what happens is amazing—he sees his son Davy, who embraces him and tells him, “Let there be light.” He feels a love and warmth that he has never experienced before. When he wakes up in the hospital, he is confronted with a decision that demands to be made–does he ignore what happened, or does he seek out the truth and the meaning behind Davy’s statement, “Let there be light.”
This is a remarkable film, showing clearly how the power of God’s love can shed light into a person’s heart, despite the darkness. The performances are strong, including that of Daniel Roebuck who plays Sol’s agent, Norm, and calls everyone “Darling!” There will be more difficulties for Sol to wade through once he makes a firm decision as to where he stands on the faith issue, but the story is brought to a powerful conclusion and is well directed. This is a quality movie and well worth seeing. If we were handing out Doves or stars, this one would get the most it could, five! Sorbo’s film shines! This movie has earned our Dove-Approved Seal for Ages 12+. See it as soon as you can and encourage others to do the same. Once I started watching, I couldn’t stop! Check out the full review at-  www.dove.org

New Releases for March 2018

Remembering Billy Graham

I heard on someone on the radio this morning make the comment that every one, in one way or another, has had their lives touched by Rev. Billy Graham. My Mom came to know the Lord 30 years ago through watching a Billy Graham revival on TV, while up with a fussy baby in the middle of the night. If the Lord hadn't used Rev. Graham to speak to my Mom's heart that night, my life would have been so different. I am so thankful for his heart for the unsaved, for always speaking truth, and even though he never met my family, for allowing God to use him to change the life of my family and millions of others around the world. 

Found this video that CCM Magazine put together as a tribute to his life. Thought is was very fitting for this blog.

Same Kind of Different As Me

Dove Review

“We are all homeless – just workin’ our way home.” These words are aptly spoken by Denver Moore, who enters the film The Same Kind of Different as Me as a very disturbed homeless man, played poignantly by Djimon Hounsou in the true story of Ron and Deborah Hall’s (Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger) journey to personal healing and struggle with physical illness and their effect on the homeless they encounter. The award-deserving performance by Hounsou carries the film; I sat transfixed by almost every word that emanates from this man. His deliberate and powerful voice anchors much of this narrative in the truth it wishes to convey—that of the homeless experience and this black man in particular, who struggled as a sharecropper, living much like a slave, well into the 1950s. His escape from this lifestyle meant a homeless existence, especially after a brush with the law, until he encountered the Halls.
Deborah Hall’s love and charity toward Denver and all the homeless people who come to the Fort Worth Union Gospel Mission is transforming. Moore said; “I never met Miss Debbie—she met me.” Zellweger, indeed, manages to convey a gentle and tender strength, even in the midst of her character’s battle with cancer, by unrelentingly pursuing the most lost and broken in society, as she is urged on by a prophetic dream and an unwavering faith. She cleverly insists that her husband make amends for wrongdoings by serving with her at the mission. He reluctantly agrees, and his transformation ensues, where he is just as changed by those he encounters as they are blessed by his service. The intimate bond he builds with Denver carries them both past the borders of this film into the world at large to raise millions of dollars for the homeless together by telling their story of redemption and grace.
Though a gap exists in the transition from the baseball bat-wielding Moore to the angelic, preaching Moore, God is greatly glorified throughout, as Denver increasingly speaks profundities about lessons learned and grander purposes, even in the midst of suffering, and Debbie quietly blesses everyone in her life, humbly pointing to God’s grace and love as the liberating and healing force. At times the tears in the theater were enough to fill buckets when emotional moments, such as the touching father/son encounter between Earl (played bitingly by Jon Voigt as an ornery alcoholic) and Ron was perfectly modulated.
Though there are a few violent scenes where Denver wields a baseball bat and smashes car windows, and emotional moments associated with infidelity, cancer struggles, and alcohol abuse, this film is overflowing with the message of redemption and hope, as we witness lives transformed and a powerful path created that lead to the One who changes hearts and minds.
We are proud to award this movie the Dove Seal for Ages 12+.

 

Releases in store tomorrow, February 20, 2018. 

Michael W. Smith - A Million Lights

"A Million Lights” was sort of lyrically inspired by my fascination with space. I’ve just been enamored by stars and galaxies and supernovas, the whole deal. I wrote this melody first to “A Million Lights” and I felt like it was a really contagious melody. Kyle Lee got involved in the production side and the writing side and he came up with the beautiful title “A Million Lights” and that’s just kinda what the songs about. When I think about space and I think about the song you know, the heavens declare the glory of God. It’s just mind boggling how big just our universe is and who knows how many more universes there are. It’s just incredible. It’s not hard for me to have a worship experience just walking outside and looking up at the sky. – Michael W. Smith

    

His CD "A Million Lights" releases in stores tomorrow, February 16, 2018. 

Jars of Clay Contiues to Create

When you join a band at 20 years old, you don't think much about what it might mean to still remain together almost 20 years later. To be true, it's nearly impossible to imagine much after your 21st birthday. At the close of 2011, Jars of Clay celebrated its 17th year of creating together. Over 100 songs written, 10 studio records, international touring, and the genesis of a sustained work benefiting our neighbors in Africa, Blood: Water Mission. Is there still soil to turn in this plot of land? I there something urgent, timely, even startling, left yet to create? In early 2012, we turned our chairs towards one another once again, and agreed that whatever grace of time we still had before us, we would spend finding this out. And so we headed Inland. The journey began like many before it. We wrote songs, and more songs, and when we typically would've stopped we kept writing. We wrote close to 50 songs. We had little concern for what we were looking for. We simply showed up and wrote the song that the day required. We believed that along with us, there were others, faithfully showing up and doing the work of preparing for the opportunity to build something truly great. There are the songs for ordinary days - when life is weighty and uncertain, doubt is the necessary partner of faith; where we see mostly through a glass darkly. It is this middle space that we have inhabited over the years. It's where you and I do the gritty work of actually living. The space in between the way the world is, and even underneath the most cynical exteriors - the way we know the world ought to be. - Jars of Clay

The Digital Age Leads Worship

Often, endings are just new beginnings in disguise. As 2012 saw the curtain close on a decade of the David Crowder* Band, long-time band members Mike Dodson (Mike D), Mark Waldrop, Jack Parker and Jeremy Bush (Bwak) sought to write a new chapter in the story by continuing to create, perform and produce music together for the Church. It was out of that desire to keep serving the faithful that The Digital Age was born.

     In this high tech age, they remain grounded by the roots they planted long age at University Baptist Church in the small college town of Waco, Texas near Baylor University campus. The members of the band have been leading worship there in some form since its inception in 1995. It's from there that they are sent out to Church at large, a body they believe is beautiful, diverse and alive - qualities they strive to reflect in the music they create.
     The tracks for Evening:Morning were written in a quasi-conceptual, temporal fashion, moving through the night to the morning. The album is characterized by a sound that is both unique and familiar at the same time. They call it alternative Church music, and they blend modern melodic soundscapes and interesting electronic sounds with reverent and personal lyrics. (description provided by Fair Trade label)
     If you were a fan of what made David Crowder* Band music unique, you will also enjoy the music that The Digital Age creates.

Gospel Legend Babbie Mason Visits

Matthew West - Into the Light

A couple of years ago now Matthew West sent out a request to his fans asking for their stories. He was blown away with the response that he got. There were so many letters and so many heart wrenching, honest stories. The Story of Your Life was the album from those letters. Many of the stories, well pretty much all of them, were stories that dealt with brokenness and the encouragement to the specific pain in life. The encouragement was almost on a survival basis in terms of counseling (I am no concealer but one who has experienced brokenness and the help from others.) It is the immediate response to the painful stories. 

In this new album, Into the Light, by Matthew West, he still uses the letters but there is a distinct change in the feel of the album. This is an album of encouragement of going beyond the survival stage of dealing and moving on toward the healthy living future. The song "Moved by Mercy" is such a song. It is the next song after The Story of Your Life's "Broken Girl." A song that characterizes the album as a whole is the song "Do Something." It is for the listener of these heart wrenching songs. It is a call to action. We can sit back and blame God or others for the pain of this world or we can recognize that God has given us gifts to be his instruments in the world and do something. We can guide people into the healing of the light of God.

"Forgiveness" is a song where a women chose to forgive the man who drunkenly murder her daughter with his car. The story is one of power and doing something showed the grace of God.

Review - Group 1 Crew's Fearless

Last fall Group1Crew had some changes within their group. Pablo left the group to spend more time with family. Manny and Blanca continued forward with their music fearlessly. Due to this personnel change Group 1 Crew’s music focused on Manny and Blanca’s strengths.  The song “He said” featuring Chris August is an excellent example. They are true to their hip hop beats while fusing with some contemporary melodies. I think that the fusion is a great idea that works. Fans of tobyMac will greatly enjoy this new Group 1 Crew sound. If you are a fan of their more hip hop dance songs, not to worry they still have some of those songs on this album too.

I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of a synthesizer. I agree that it is really fun to use, but I am in some ways really old school purist. That being said, the project has almost two different audiences in mind, the synthesized dance people and the hip hop fused contemporary songs people. You are never bored when listening to the project.

One recommendation the I have for you is when first listening to this new album approach it openly and enjoy the music as what it is and not compare it to how different they had sounded with Pablo. I did not do this the first time and I missed out on some really great new music. I did not make the same mistake twice. I really enjoyed the music the second time through. It is defiantly true when they say that different doesn’t mean less. They are still Group 1 Crew, but different.

TobyMac - Eye On It

This newest project by TobyMac, Eye On It, brings his music forward with a nod to the past. I found this album very reminiscent to Portable Sounds with one song, "Family" very similar in the sound vibe to "City on Our Knees" from Tonight album. Eye on It as a whole take on a techno feel of Owl City with the hip hop jibe of GROUP1CREW. Blanca from GROUP1CREW is featured on the album in one song. For the first time that I am aware of, the Christian music giant, TobyMac, teams up with Christian Rap's biggest musician, Lecrae. They come together in this great song called "Forgiveness." I have always enjoyed when two different artists come together and compliment each others sounds. The mixture of the hip hop, rap, and contemporary sounds makes the lyrics of that song all the more powerful.

The song "Thankful for You" is one where I would love to sit down with TobyMac and ask him questions. The song is one of gratitude to both God and those who like his music. The questions that I would ask would be on his journey from before DC Talk to where he is now.

Definitely, a quality album as to be expected from TobyMac with many great songs on it.

Here is me without you ....

KB - Weight& Glory - Debut Album

KB brings in a breath of fresh air.
Intense lyrics.
Fast rapping.
Sweet mixes.
Fellow Christian rappers.
Sho Baraka.
Tedashii.
Trip Lee.
Flame.
Lecrae.
Heart for Christ Jesus.
Catches you from the.
first beat.
first rhythm.
Keeps you from one song to another.
14 songs in all.
But sadness occurs.
The end of the album is reached.
Replay button.
YAY.
First video.
KB's story.
Second video.
First single.
FYI.
For Your Information.
This post is no rap.
Just simple.
Honest.
Thoughts.

New Releases - June 5, 2012

Altars - Conclusions - FaceDown Records - Provident

 Altars formed in early 2010 with the drive to present forceful passionate, heavy, hardcore/metal.  The focus on the intensely spiritual foundation of the band is displayed through hardworking ideals and DIY methods to share their creation with whomever they can, wherever they can.  After releasing their debut EP "Opposition" in July of 2011 on Strike First Records, Altars are back with 12 tracks that make up one of the finest heavy albums of 2012 on "Conclusions".  The creative songwriting and top notch production on "Conclusions" are sure to make a mark for Altars in the heavy music scene in 2012 and beyond.

Maranatha! Music - Top 25 Praise Series Classics Edition - Maranatha! Music -  EMICMG
If your walk with Christ had a soundtrack, this would be it! 2 timeless CDs feature classic choruses from the best-selling Praise Series, including "As We Gather"; "Glorify Thy Name"; "In His Time"; "Open Our Eyes"; "You Are My Hiding Place"; "Behold What Manner of Love"; "Jesus, Name Above All Names"; "Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord"; "Seek Ye First"; and "I Love You, Lord."


Write This Down - Lost Weekend - Tooth and Nail Records - EMICMG

Write This Down has spent the last two years touring in support of their Tooth & Nail Records self-titled debut, and they’re back and ready for more with their sophomore release Lost Weekend. Picking up where Write This Down left off, Lost Weekend will not be a disappointment for fans that fell in love with the dirty riffs and soaring melodies of the first record. 

Amy Grant - Rock of Ages... Hymns & Faith - EMICMG Music Label Group - EMICMG

In 2005 Amy Grant released her 20th career album, Rock of Ages…Hymns & Faith as a follow-up to 2002's gold-certified Legacy...Hymns & Faith. This GRAMMY® Award winning collection, produced by long-time collaborators Brown Bannister and Vince Gill, picks up where Legacy left off and is available through EMI CMG Distribution for the first time.

Rev. Milton Brunson - Platinum Gospel: Rev. Milton Brunson - SonOrous Entertainment - EMICMG

Rev. Milton Brunson was more than just a choir leader. In 1948, while attending McKinley High School in Chicago, Brunson formed what eventual be known as The Thompson Community Singers. They would go on to perform some of the largest Gospel concerts in their time, including appearances at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall. Brunson was musical innovator whose ministry and social impact will be remembered for many generations to come. Today a post office in his native Chicago is named after him to preserve his memory. Enjoy his greatest works with The Tommies with this newly re-mastered collection.

Petra - Best of the 80's - Star Song Music - EMICMG

The 1980’s were the peak of Petra’s career. They were playing in front of sold out arenas nationwide, selling hundreds of thousands of albums each year and racking up numerous radio hits. This collection of music, not only defines a generation, but is a historical look at Christian rock music through the songs of the band who paved the way for many more Christian rock bands to follow. Best of The 80’s, is a must have collection for an amazing low price of $7.99.

Regina Belle - Higher - Pendulum Records - EMICMG

Grammy Award Winning Artist, Regina Belle, releases her second Gospel album, Higher following up on her award winning first gospel album Love Forever Shines on Pendulum Records, LLC in association with Walker Davis Entertainment, LLC. This project has collaborations from award-winning artists, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, Kathy Taylor, Lowell Pye, and some of the industry top producers including Pajam, Terence Vaughn, Chris Walker and Micah Stampley.

Switchfoot - Vice Re-Verses - Credential Recordings - EMICMG

The Grammy award winners, Switchfoot, are releasing Vice Re-Verses, a limited edition CD featuring remixes of songs from Vice Verses, the band’s fast-selling and critically acclaimed release from last year. Remixes came in from a wide range of genres and artists eager to get their hands on a Switchfoot song, including Paper Route, Owl City’s Adam Young, Photek and MUTEMATH’s Darren King. In addition to these artists, band mates Drew Shirley and Jerome Fontamillas tag teamed the remixing of “The War Inside.” 

Various - Platinum Gospel: Mighty Men of Gospel - SonOrous Entertainment - EMICMG

This collection celebrates the music of some of the most powerful and inspiring male vocalists the world of gospel has ever known. From the massive wall of sound created by Rev. James Cleveland and his Voices of Tabernacle to the smooth harmonies of Richmond Virginia’s Harmonizing four, this compilation covers the full spectrum of sounds from Gospel’s past. Each of these tracks has been hand selected and carefully re-mastered to create a whole new listening experience. Please join Sonorous Entertainment in paying homage to the Mighty Men of Gospel!