various artists WoW Gospel 2011 (Verity) FOR FANS OF: Current Black Gospel QQQ WOW Gospel 2011 combs Gospel’s hottest recent hits to stud a stellar compilation with urban stars like Mary, Mary and Israel Houghton, Black Gospel legends like Karen Clark sheard and Marvin sapp and hip newbies like Forever Jones and vaShawn Mitchell. Covering the genre’s wide-ranging nuances, traditional and modern acts alternate fluidly resulting in a must-have 2-CD set for Gospel fans. –Andrew Greer WE LIKE: “He Wants It All,” Forever Jones John p. kee The Legacy Project (Verity) FOR FANS OF: Shirley Caesar, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Fred Hammond QQQ Tracking the key elements that defined Gospel music’s early eras, Contemporary Gospel veteran John P. Kee tributes his traditional Gospel rearing by recording a historic song list with some of the genre’s major history makers (like rance allen and Fred Hammond). Incorporating a little bit of r&B, a little bit of Motown and a whole lot of Spirit-filled Gospel, Kee’s Gospel scrapbook is an endearing testament to Gospel’s continued influence in today’s greater spiritual music scene. –Andrew Greer WE LIKE: “Breakthrough” feat. Joe Ligon James Fortune & Fiya i Believe Live (Black Smoke Music Worldwide) FOR FANS OF: Jonathan Nelson, Donnie McClurkin, VaShawn Mitchell QQQ With themes of triumph through faith sustaining an hour-plus of singin’ and shoutin’, Fortune and his collective of tip-top Gospel voices keep the music hopping in classic soul-stirring Black Gospel fashion. Tight pockets pervade infectious choruses like the extra groovy “I wouldn’t Know you” thanks to Fortune’s energetic leadership and super skilled entourage. Add Kierra sheard’s fresh guest facilities and a rousing pastoral interlude by his preacher and I Believe—though a bit long—is pure live Gospel satisfaction. –Andrew Greer WE LIKE: “I Wouldn’t Know You” aL Green The Best of the Gospel sessions (New Haven) FOR FANS OF: Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples QQQ After Green’s 70’s soul songs catapulted his celebrity to stratospheric heights, a series of unfortunate events convinced the rock and roll Hall of Famer to return to his Christian roots—leading him to pastor ordination and transforming his musical heart from secular to spiritual. Focused exclusively on his Grammy- lauded 1980’s Gospel catalog, The Best Of highlights Green’s passionate administration of his impeccable soul style in hard-to-beat tracks brimming with retro horn pads, disco strings and unbeatable r&B grooves. –Andrew Greer WE LIKE: “I Wouldn’t Know You” urBan reviews All release dates and album titles are subject to change. For the most up-to-date release schedule, visit www.todayschristianmusic.com/new-releases. urBan new reLeases 03.29.2011 Mary Mary soMeTHinG BiG INTEGrITy/PrOvIdENT SMOKIE NOrFuL HoW i GoT over…sonGs THaT Carried us EMI/EMICMG 04.19.2011 BISHOP Td JaKES saCred Love sonGs 2 uNIvErSaL/EMICMG LONNIE HuNTEr i’M BaCk BLaCKSMOKE/EONE dISTrIBuTION 04.26.2011 rICKy dILLard & NEw G keeP LivinG EONE MuSIC/LIGHT rECOrdS/ EONE dISTrIBuTION urban 44 CCM