NFN Review Zone – JOSEPH HABEDANK: Change Is Coming (Daywind Music)

The name of Joseph Habedank will be one which is familiar with fans of Southern Gospel (hereafter SG) as he’s been a solo artist favourite on this scene for a number of years now; consistently winning SG Artist of the Year since 2017. Change Is Coming follows on from Joseph’s 2019 album release “Deeper Oceans” which was nominated for SG Album of the Year at the Dove Awards as well as a 2nd Grammy nomination. His style is probably best described as progressive with more of a contemporary pop feel to many of his releases. That being said though, the SG roots are certainly not lost in the mix with strong flavours evident in the style of delivery. ‘Thief in the Night’ is the opening number which immediately hints at the artist’s SG foundations with some impressive harmonies with a refrain asking “Are you ready?” in reference to Christ’s second coming. The song moves on in a more pop/rock oriented style, reminiscent of some late 80s/early 90s rock with Joseph displaying an impressive vocal range. Put these styles together with a very full musical arrangement and the results are very polished but for me, sounded too much like a Disney film soundtrack. The title track ‘Change is Coming’ is an upper mid-tempo track and possibly the album’s most pleasing track to fans of the genre in the subject matter as well as the musical arrangements. ‘Religion Isn’t Working’ winds the pace right back as a piano-led ballad with some excellent and powerful lyrics speaking about the deep desire for a personal relationship with Jesus as opposed to organised religion. The song builds towards the mid-section with a more rousing chorus which works well and there are of course the distinctive warbles of a Hammond organ in the background which one might associate with more traditional SG. ‘Jerico’ picks up the pace again with the pop/rock feel to it which I felt was the strongest track on the album with a strong drum beat, building the song nicely into an energetic declaration in the chorus. Certainly not one which would please the traditionalists but the most likely to make it onto my own playlist! ’24 Hours’ drops the pace again as a piano-led ballad which sounds like a very personal story of overcoming addiction. The orchestral arrangements can occasionally be a bit too much in the foreground, giving the song a hint of ‘film score’. ‘Child of the King’ was a tad samey and felt a little bland with neither music nor lyrics having a great impact. The ballad ‘Judas’ has some impactful lyrics focusing on the far-reaching grace of Jesus but again, the musical arrangements weren’t anything outstanding. The remaining tracks ‘Rebel With a Cause’, ‘Not Far From Home’ and ‘Rise Above Eden’ are not bad tracks at all but I’m afraid fall into the same trap which many progressive SG songs do…they all sound a touch generic. There is no doubting Joseph’s vocal gifts and he has a great range with smooth delivery. A couple of the stronger tracks may make it onto my personal playlist but as a whole album package, this one is not for me as it lacks some distinction to make it stand out. 7/10 Simon Redfern.

Chris Tomlin – God Who Listens (Acoustic)

Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. Tomlin is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. The GRAMMY® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Tomlin’s latest #1 charting album Never Lose Sight contains three #1 radio singles- “Jesus,” “Good Good Father” and “Home.” Tomlin’s concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others. His 2017 “Worship Night in America Tour” became the first Christian tour sponsored by Amazon Music.

CeCe Winans has released her latest album titled Believe For It.

“This album is filled with such powerful songs that need to be heard around the world. I believe some amazing testimonies will be shared after people listen to this project,” says Winans.

Winans adds her distinctive sound and style to the contemporary hymns that has been sung in churches worldwide. The debut tune from the worship collection, “Never Lost” is currently resting in the Top 20 slot at Gospel Radio and was recently nominated for NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Gospel/Christian category. The single found itself riding a wave straight to the #1 streaming spot on the charts the first week of release.

It has been four years since Winans’ last (non-holiday) recording of Let Them Fall in Love that marked her return from a decade-long hiatus, but it was worth the wait. The offering of that musical smorgasbord put an additional two Grammy Awards under the singer’s belt, making it an even dozen. There is very little space left on the shelf after her 23 Dove Awards and 15 Stellar Awards are added to the display. Over 17 million fans have purchased Winans’ music world-wide, and after this latest installation, that number will continue to rise.

Carolyn Arends – A Christmas Blessing – Lyric Video

Carolyn Arends has released 12 albums and is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year. Her prose has been recognized by The Word Guild, The Evangelical Press Association and The Canadian Church Press Awards.

In addition to her busy touring and speaking schedule, Carolyn has been a regular columnist for Christianity Today, Faith Today, and CT Women, and has served as an adjunct professor at Trinity Western University, Regent College, ACTS Seminary, Pacific Life Bible College, Columbia Bible College, and Prairie Bible College. She has a degree in Psychology and English from Trinity Western University and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband, Mark, and their young adult children Benjamin and Bethany.

Carolyn is currently the Director of Education for Renovaré, a far-reaching organization that encourages and nurtures personal and spiritual renewal. She continues to be available on a select basis for speaking, retreat facilitation, concerts, worship leading, and songwriting and performance seminars.

Chicago Mass Choir Celebrate 30th Anniversary with ‘My Soul Says Yes’

In the three decades since its inception, the internationally renowned CHICAGO MASS CHOIR has defined the passion, power, and excellence of traditional gospel voices lifted in praise. They’ve had no less than sixteen albums reach the Billboard Gospel charts and earned two GRAMMY, three Dove, and more than ten Stellar Award nominations.

Their recent hits ‘Thank You Thank You Jesus’ and ‘I Give You Praise Lord’ join such iconic tracks as Holy Ghost Power,’ ‘I Pray We’ll Be Ready’ and ‘God Is My Everything’ as gospel radio staples.

In their 30th anniversary year, New Haven Records in honoured to release the 17th album from Chicago Mass Choir, ‘My Soul Says Yes’. From award-winning producers Percy Gray Jr, and Jeral Gray Sr., this project captures the unmatched energy of today’s Chicago Mass Choir while staying true to the genre and the life-changing message of the Gospel.