Artist: Dave Hollister
Title: The Book Of David: The Transition
Reviewer: Gary White

The Book Of David: The Transition is not an additional book being added to the Bible but definitely does do it’s duty by spreading the word on God. Former member of the R&B group Blackstreet, Dave Hollister took his singing career and went solo for a few albums and now comes to us with his first gospel project. The soulful singer continues to prove he can sing with this album full of ballads and contemporary gospel cuts. With him producing and writing 13 of the albums tracks it’s easy to see that this album is truly a book inspired by his experiences and carefully authored by Dave.

The album opens up with Dave’s personal conversation with God. In “The Prayer”, Dave talk one on one with God explaining that he is ready to do God’s will and spread the good news through music to the world. Then he blesses us, with a collection of smooth soulful gospel on his this project. One of the albums singles “Nothing but God” explains just what it states. It was nothing but God’s Love, grace and mercy that brought him through and can bring us through tough times.

‘The Book of David’ tells the story of Dave’s life and is very similar to what many people go through. The hurts, the pains and the struggles he went through to get to where he is. Track titles such as “So Many Scars”, “Divorced” let us know it wasn’t an easy battle for Dave. In “Settlement” Dave breaks down the court case which sounds like it could have easily fit into one of R-Kelly’s dramatic In The Closet episodes. But then, Dave brings us all hope with tracks like “What DoYou Do” “Pray, Til’ You get an Answer” “Help Me” “Take Me Back”, which express Dave’s transition and realization that God is the one true source of help for everyone.

The Book Of David may have been started as a story filled with drama, stress and worry, but once he seeks the Lords help, things work themselves out. The man who sang lead on “Before I Let You Go” and brought us r&b hits like “One Woman Man” is now holding on to God and singing for the One True God. The Book of David may have been a story filled with drama, stress and worry, but a peaceful ending isn’t far away once he seeks the Lords help.

Interview w/Dave Hollister on HoneySoul.com

Artist: Smokie Norful
Title: Life Changing
Record Label: EMI Gospel

Smokie Norful, a.k.a. Mr. Inspiration comes back to his many fans and brings to us his third album entitled Life Changing. This being the follow up to his two Grammy award winning albums, Smokie comes to us with a collective work of songs with messages sure to touch every listener.

Smokie’s skill at writing, arranging and production accompanied by Jason Tyson helps to craft most of the album. Life Changing is filled with contemporary gospel, spiritual and radio friendly hits to reach listeners of any age. Heavy baselines and praise whaling horns are found throughout the album to will definitely bring out the praise and worship vibe which is felt from beginning to end.

You wanna get your dance on? Smokie gets his praise on with songs like the album opener “Celebrate”. The jazzy horns and drums used on “Put Your Hands Together” mixed perfectly with Norful’s lyrics to make the spirit move as you listen. “Right Now” as the choir tells the listener - ‘Don’t wait until tomorrow…. Give him the praise today’.

“Great and Mighty Is Our God” confirms that there is nothing in the world more powerful that out Lord. You need some inspiration when it seems the world is on your shoulders?? Smokie gives us “Umm Good” to let us know that the Lord has been and will always be that good to and for us. One of my favorites, “In Time” will give you that extra confidence and assurance to know that God will be there to work out any and all situations… not when you want Him to, but right on time!

Smokie Norful blesses us with another great album. “Life Changing” is not too long… not too short but just right and filled with powerful songs to keep the listener spiritually afloat and satisfied throughout the album. Songs if inspiration, songs of praise, songs of worship and songs of encouragement. It covers all aspects of life to help with your Life Changing as you grow with God!

Smokie Norful on myspace

Native Sound recording artist Angelo Luster releases his second CD “Face 2 Face- The Vocal Sessions”.
Angelo Luster, a classically trained musician, infuses the traditional sounds of contemporary gospel music with melodious jazz. Ange luster is one of the shining starts on the Bay Area Jazz scene today, taking the art of playing the saxophone to a new inspirational level.
(more…)

Paul “pda” Allen and the PAJAM Team write and produce another #1 hit project! The same producers who produced R&B artists Destiny’s Child, Kelly Price, Patti LaBelle; Pop Artists, N’sync and the Backstreet Boyz; gospel artists Karen Clark-Sheard, Dave Hollister, Hezekiah Walker and 21:03, has now insured J Moss with another successful project. On Tuesday, April 10, 2007 the highly anticipated sophomore project from J Moss, entitled J Moss, V2 went straight to Billboard’s #1 spot it’s first week of release.
(more…)

NASHVILLE—April 21, 2007–U.S. performing rights organization BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s most performed Christian songs on Christian radio and television during the BMI Christian Music Awards tonight at the company’s Music Row offices in Nashville. BMI named Casting Crowns’ “Voice of Truth” Song of the Year, while the group’s frontman Mark Hall earned the prestigious Songwriter of the Year title. BMI Vice President Jody Williams, along with Senior Director Thomas Cain and Associate Director Beth Mason, of BMI’s Writer/Publisher Relations department in Nashville, presented awards for 25 songs in five categories: Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational, Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel.

(more…)

NASHVILLE, TN….4/27/07….EMI CMG Label Group’s Sparrow label announced today that they have signed a world-wide, long term deal with Amy Grant, which will include Grant’s extensive 30 year catalog of recordings, which has sold more than 30 million units, as well as new catalog products. EMI will also have the option of working with Grant to issue new recordings in the future.
(more…)

[Humboldt County, CA April 27, 2007] The honorable Judge Bruce Watson denied the Mateel Community Center’s request for a preliminary injunction against: People Productions, the Dimmick Ranch, and the Reggae Rising Music Festival. This highly-anticipated ruling clears the way for the Reggae Rising Music Festival to move forward unencumbered to bring you the best reggae festival of the summer.
(more…)

( Nashville , Tenn. ) April 27, 2007 - Distributed by Word Distribution, Brash recording artist Aaron Shust walked away from the 38th Annual Gospel Music Awards with three major awards including “Songwriter of the Year,” “Song of the Year” (”My Savior My God”) and “New Artist of the Year.”

(more…)

Forest Park, IL, April 26 - On Saturday, May 19th at 7:00pm, Darius Brooks presents Your willthe Tommies Reunion, along with special guest Daryl Coley, in a live DVD recording at Wake Chapel Church, 3805 Tarheel Club Road, Raleigh, NC, where J.J. Wilkins Jr. is Senior Pastor.
“EXPERIENCE” TOUR DVD RECORDING

(more…)

(FRANKLIN, Tenn.) April 26, 2007—Best-selling author and pastor of Mosaic in Los Angeles, Erwin Raphael McManus releases CRAVE, a new short film series created by Awaken and Indelible Creative Group. The three-disc box set is inspired by themes from McManus’ latest book, “Soul Cravings” (Thomas Nelson).

(more…)