GRAMMY^® Award-winning recording artist Regina Belle is releasing her new holiday album, My Colorful Christmas, available now through all digital outlets. The chart-topping vocalist, whose acclaimed career spans thirty-five years, debuts her first holiday album. Released by Regina Belle’s record label Tashi3 Entertainment and distributed through Altavoz Distribution, the ten-track album features holiday classics like “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger,” the new song “I Had to Leave (A Song from Bernie)” that she had co-written with her late brother Bernard Belle, mother-daughter duet with her daughter Sydni Battle on “A Baby Changes Everything,” and more. 

My Colorful Christmas reflects on love, family, faith, and bringing people together during the holiday season. Regina Belle takes fans on a dazzling musical journey with joy and hope to warm our spirits, with soulful sophistication and lush vocals including on the featured single “A Cradle in Bethlehem,” a Nat King Cole classic that is her favorite holiday song. A longtime dream to make a holiday album that’s now a reality, Belle says of the album, “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for many years, but never got around to it. Thanksgiving to New Year’s is my favorite time of the year. The music, the closeness of family, everything the season represents, means so much to me.” 

Starting her career with debut album All By Myself in 1987, Belle’s esteemed repertoire includes the chart-topping album Stay With Me, and the albums Reachin’ Back, Believe In Me, This Is Regina!, Lazy Afternoon, Love Forever Shines, Higher, and The Day Life Began, as well as the chart-topping timeless hit duet “A Whole New World” (with Peabo Bryson), the OSCAR^® and GRAMMY^®-winning theme song from Disney’s Aladdin. 

Regina Belle, MY COLORFUL CHRISTMAS, Available Now (Tashi3 Entertainment): 

https://ingrv.es/my-colorful-christma-fj9-c

Connect with Regina Belle at:

http://iamreginabelle.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reginabelleofficial

Instagram and Twitter: @IAmReginaBelle

The platinum-selling worship ensemble, Shekinah Glory Ministry (known for gospel classics such as “Praise is What I Do” and “Yes”), have teamed up with an urban producer on the rise, Avehre, to release a four-song digital EP, The Artist Project, Vol. 2 (Kingdom Records). The set of songs, now available on all digital music platforms, features bright but overlooked talents who deserve the public’s attention. Avehre is a protégé of soul music legend, Gladys Knight, and he is making noise in urban circles with his slick productions.

The focus radio single, “Live Up,” is a lite, upbeat track with R&B flavored programming. It’s led by the Kansas City sister act,  Tobbi & Tommi, who have done background vocals for a who’s who in music ranging from Chaka Khan to Patti LaBelle. They were the featured vocalists on Donald Lawrence & Company’s ‘s gospel rendition of Khan’s classic “Through the Fire” on the group’s bestselling album, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), in 2011. Then, Bebe Winans showcased them on his 2017 No. 1 gospel hit, “He Promised Me.” The sisters’ soulful voices glisten and shine brilliantly on “Live Up.”

Alternative R&B artist Adam Ness joins Avehre for a smooth duet of perseverance and faith entitled, “Never Lose.” St. Louis native Jai is best-known for her Holy Hip Hop credentials that were birthed with her 2011 debut album, Culture Shock. Over the years, she’s collaborated with Christian rappers such as Lecrae, Trip Lee, and Tedashii. Her tone is low and smoky on the down-tempo track about finding favor with God. “Voyage” is a synthesized nod to Hip Hop with a melodic rap about the journey to salvation by Mars Kidd.  The Artist Project, Vol. 2 is an enticing spiritual invitation to experience four awesomely talented, up and coming artists.  

Shekinah Glory Ministry Introduces New Acts With the Artist Project

Listen or Download Links: https://ingrv.es/the-artist-project-vol-p24-u

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and Journey band member Jonathan Cain releases Christmas Is Love today (Nov. 4) from Identity Records with The Fuel Music distribution. The EP is available now at digital and streaming outlets everywhere via https://slinky.to/ChristmasIsLove.

Produced and written by Cain with all but one track recorded, mixed and mastered at Addiction Sound Studios by David Kalmusky (Justin Bieber, The Fray, Keith Urban), Christmas Is Love is a five-song holiday offering bearing this legendary musician’s signature. Familiar, yet unconventional, the EP paints a musical palette highlighting the remarkable story of the birth of Jesus in the opening track, “Hope Was Born,” and marvels at the miracle in “Who Is This Child” while underscoring the core message in the title track.

“Christmas is love. It is that simple,” shares Cain, as the EP highlights the artist’s brilliant keyboard work along with his dynamic vocals that have been forged through six solo albums since 2016 and as a worship leader at City Of Destiny Church in Apopka, FL where his wife, Paula White-Cain, is pastor.

“I enjoy celebrating Christmas every year,” says Cain, who remembers the joy of singing carols at home with his family growing up. “What went down in the desert at Bethlehem, it’s such a monumental miracle that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It was a game changer.”

Christmas Is Love is rounded out by Cain’s Top 5 Christmas radio hit “Wonder of Wonders,” which first released in 2019 and features GRAMMY®-nominated, Platinum®-selling Newsboys lead singer Michael Tait, and “Behold,” a song never before released but featured on Cain’s “Wonder Of Wonders Christmas Concert” from City Of Destiny last year.

Leading the new music, as well as hits from his Billboard–premiered album Unsung Noel (2017), Cain will again host a Christmas Concert from his church Dec. 18. He will also debut new music from Christmas Is Love live during his wife’s annual Unleashed Conference to take place at City Of Destiny Oct. 20 – 22.

Offering a timely reminder that the Spirit of Christmas is alive every day, acclaimed singer/songwriter and speaker Billy Ballenger’s aptly titled All Year is now available. 

The three-song EP was produced by Riley Friesen and features the message-driven title-cut as well as two new interpretations of Michael Card’s Christmas classic, “Joseph’s Song.” 
 
Co-written by Ballenger and Friesen, “All Year” is a joyful pop anthem showcasing the heart of the Gospel: “Every laugh, every smile when we celebrate/is a love that’s a gift that we all can take/when we find out that Jesus is here all year.” Understanding that Christmas is more than a holiday, Ballenger hopes the song will encourage listeners facing troubled times—no matter the season. 

“It’s easier to catch the Christmas spirit during the holidays,” he says. “We can turn joy on at will just because it’s that time of year again but if you’re struggling, Christmas isn’t always a joyful season. The reality is that we are meant to have lasting Christmas joy and true Hope every single day because we have a Savior who is with us ‘all year.’” 
 
In addition, Ballenger delivers two impassioned renditions of “Joseph’s Song,” a classic he readily embraced as a father himself. “It’s an absolute honor to cover this song for so many reasons,” he shares. “Beautifully written by Michael Card, it speaks to the weight of Joseph’s unique situation as the earthly father of God’s Son. Like many of us fathers, I can relate to the responsibility Joseph must have felt to get it right in raising his child. Yet in his case, the pressure to raise Jesus well was infinitely magnified.”   

 All Year – Billy Ballenger

Pentatonix just released their new album Holidays Around the World on Friday (October 28)!

The Grammy award-winning A Cappella group – Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee – collaborated with quite a few artists from around the world for their sixth holiday album.

Featured on the album are Lea Salonga, Meghan Trainor, The King Singers, Hiba Tawaji, La Santa Cecilia, Lang Lang, Grace Lokwa, Shreya Ghoshal, and HIKAKIN & SEIKIN.

“The holidays have taken on a new meaning for all of us over the past couple of years. We cherish this time of year more than ever,” Scott shared in a statement. “However, we wanted to spread this message as far as possible. That’s why we decided to bridge the gap between cultures and genres in a way we never have before. Now, we can’t wait to see all of you on the road.”

As previously announced, Pentatonix will be hitting the road in November and December on their Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular Tour. Check out the tour dates below!

It was also just announced that October 28th has been declared “Pentatonix Day” in Los Angeles!

The city recognized the group’s contributions to the city over the last decade, with the resolution reading, “the Los Angeles City Council hereby declares October 28, 2022 as ‘Pentatonix Day’ in Los Angeles to acknowledge global impact of Pentatonix and to extend best wishes to this five-member group.”

PTX will be honored in Los Angeles once again in 2023 when they receive their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Earlier this year, Kirstin gave birth to her first child. Scott also debuted his first solo single, which he wrote about his fiancé.

Check out Holidays Around the World and PTX’s upcoming tour dates below…

Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular Tour Dates

11/17 Oakland, CA Oakland Arena

11/19 West Valley City, UT Maverik Center

11/20 Denver, CO Ball Arena

11/22 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena

11/23 Tulsa, OK BOK Center

11/26 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena

11/27 Sioux Falls, SD Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

11/29 Green Bay, WI Resch Center

12/1 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena

12/3 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center

12/4 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena

12/6 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse

12/8 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena

12/10 Memphis, TN FedExForum

12/11 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena

12/13 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum

12/14 Jacksonville, FL VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

12/15 Hollywood, FL Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood

12/17 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum

12/19 Fairfax, VA EagleBank Arena

12/20 Hershey, PA Giant Center

12/22 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena

Acclaimed singer/songwriter and best-selling author Ellie Holcomb releases her new Christmas EP, Sing: Christmas Songs, Today November 1st to accompany her latest children’s book, Sounding Joy, which was released earlier this month. Celebrating the recent release of her holiday book and the forthcoming album, Holcomb debuted the original song “Sounding Joy” today. Click here to get the book and order Sing: Christmas Songs.

“My book and album were inspired by the song ‘Joy to the World,’ and it’s an invitation to sing about the hope we have because God put skin on and moved into the neighborhood,” shares Ellie Holcomb. “I hope these songs will invoke dancing in the kitchen while you bake Christmas cookies and storytelling of the very best kind. I hope it will help kids ponder what joy sounds like and the reason we can have joy no matter what we’re facing.”

The Christmas book explores the question of what joy sounds like as the reader travels through beautiful Christmastime scenes in the board book, which is illustrated by Laura Ramos. Likewise Sing: Christmas Songs is an invitation to sing about the hope of the season and features classic and original Christmas songs. Holcomb’s sweet and lovely celebration of Christmas encourages each reader and listener, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat the sounding joy!

Holcomb continues, “Joy sounds like the voices of my friends and family in my home while I’m preparing a meal. It sounds like my kids singing happily in their room together or like carols and bells and laughter and water running. It sounds like It’s A Wonderful Life playing in the background and Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus reading the most wonderful of stories that came true in real life… the magic of knowing we are never alone, and of hearing that message ring true over and over again in all the songs we sing at Christmas. We have a reason to sing, a reason to hope. Love gets the final word. Glad tidings of GREAT JOY!”

11x Stellar Award Winner, Pastor Mike Jr., (affectionately known as PMJ) releases the highly anticipated EP, WINNING, today under the newly formed partnership with Black Smoke Music Worldwide and Motown Gospel and Capitol CMG’s Re:Think. Just in time for the holidays, WINNING also features PMJ’s first-holiday original song, “This Christmas, Just Jesus.” The EP WINNING is available now wherever music is sold and streamed digitally.

Dubbed “The New King of Urban Inspiration,” the brand-new EP, WINNING, features 8 stand-out tracks of encouragement with Pastor Mike’s signature sound, trap music cadences, and lyrical mastery. The title track, “WINNING” produced by Jevon Hill, Stanley Black, & PMJ, is a declaration of positive affirmations. The EP’s lead single, “IMPOSSIBLE (feat. James Fortune)” is a song that has captured the hearts of so many over the last three years during moments of spontaneous worship.

“In my life, I’ve always wrestled with anxiety and sometimes depression, so I overthink and don’t know how to live in the moment. Now, for the first time in my life, I am living in the moment and I’m grateful for all that God is doing – it’s winning season!” shares Pastor Mike Jr.

Pastor Mike Jr. has scored three consecutive number-one singles (“B!G,” “I Got It,” and “Amazing”) on Billboard’s National Gospel Airplay chart. His breakout single “B!G” was recognized as Billboard’s #1 Gospel Airplay Song of 2020. He serves as the Senior Pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham, AL.

Winning – Pastor Mike Jr.

TRIBL Records, in partnership with Faith City Music, celebrate the release of the new album, WELCOME TO FAITH CITY, from GRAMMY, Dove, and Stellar Award nominated artist Tim Bowman, Jr & Faith City Music.  Bowman & Faith City Music seek to deconstruct and redefine the concept of worship with their new album, WELCOME TO FAITH CITY, available now.

WELCOME TO FAITH CITY is an introduction to Faith City Music’s world. The project is the first album since Listen premiered at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album Chart in 2016. Welcome to Faith City features life-changing collaborations with anointed worship leaders, including M.K. NGENGE, LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON, SARA MIA, KIERRA SHEARD KELLY, MALCOLM BROWN, EDEN WILLIAMS, MARANDA CURTIS, PJAY EDMUND DERRICK MILLARD, AND BRI BABINEAUX.

Every song on the album is a unique worship moment. “Holy” combines classic worship with R&B elements. The song begins solemn and introspective, then moves into a declaration of God’s consistent faithfulness. Kierra’s powerful voice takes the message home with dynamic ad-libs.

“Jesus” combines the voice of gospel powerhouse Le’Andria Johnson with pop and rock elements. The vocals and instrumentals merge effortlessly to ensure that every lover of Jesus Christ receives this anthem’s message. The song is a celebratory tribute to the encompassing joy received from a relationship with Christ.

“Here all the Time” is an impactful display of the group’s stylistic versatility. The country-pop song featuring Tim Bowman Jr. and Maranda Curtis reminds everyone that the things they need to win in life are already present. After a powerful climax, the song ends with a quiet and introspective statement “what I was looking for was here all the time.”

Bowman & Faith City Music have produced a project that will shift the idea of worship. WELCOME TO FAITH CITY is a life-changing project.  The group will appear on FOX & FRIENDS on Saturday, November 5th.

Timothy Bowman Jr. is an American Grammy, Dove, and Stellar Award-nominated gospel artist. Bowman, born in Detroit, is the son of the famous jazz guitarist Tim Bowman and the nephew of gospel recording artist Vickie Winans. Bowman started his music career in 2012 with the release of Beautiful by Trippin’ N’ Rhythm Records. The power of Tim’s music resonates with true and radical believers.  Through God’s divine timing and an official ordination, Tim and his wife, Brelyn, were honored to be ordained as Pastors at Spirit of Faith Church under the leadership of Dr. Mike and Dee Freeman. Tim brings an exciting energy to every church, every stage, and every recording studio no matter the occasion.

Internationally recognized praise and worship band Planetshakers globally releases GREATER: Live At Chapel today (Oct. 28) from Venture3Media (V3M). Available now at all major digital and streaming outlets via https://planetshakers.streamlink.to/greaterlive, the album was recorded live by Planetshakers band on a mountaintop vista near Melbourne, Australia along with Planetshakers Bible College students.

Following the release of Planetshakers’ full production, live album GREATER last month, the core Planetshakers worship team, which consists of Joth Hunt, Sam Evans, Andy Harrison, Josh Ham, Aimee Walker, Chelsi Nikkerud, Rudy Nikkerud and more, gathered again for the intimate mountaintop encounter, GREATER: Live At Chapel. Re-crafting GREATER songs in a musically accessible way for smaller gatherings, this chapel recording was produced and mixed by Hunt, who also wrote or co-wrote all but one title on the 11-song recording.

“As our praise went up in His presence, we had the overwhelming sense of God’s glory coming down, even as the mountain was engulfed in a cloud the day we recorded,” shares Hunt.

In the turmoil of the valley, where stressors like inflation, finances and health can take a heavy toll and can lead to depression, Planetshakers offers praise and worship that reaches toward the mountaintop despite any present circumstances.

“It may not happen all at once, sometimes it takes years, but like a bodybuilder building strength over time through strenuous exercise, so is our praise leading us upwards,” says Sr. Pastor Russell Evans. “Like a tapestry in the hand of God, how much more beautiful is that view after having spent time in the valley.”

“When one realizes that Jesus is greater than anything that we may face in life, there is a freedom and peace that you walk into that truly reflects God’s kingdom and inspires others to chase after the same life changing encounter,” adds Sr. Pastor Sam Evans.

Sharing a joyful celebration that infuses every aspect of Planetshakers, GREATER: Live At Chapel opens with the remarkable trade of “Beauty for Ashes,” declares that God is greater than any situations we face in the title track, and highlights the thankful, steadfast response of praise with “Victory of Jesus” and “Psalm 23.”

In just a short span, Nigerian born, UK based award-winning musician, singer songwriter, Limoblaze (born Samuel Onwubiko) has received much industry acclaim and is now signing with Reach Records. He is a two-time winner of the African Gospel Music and Media Awards (2018, 2019), Crystal Awards Best International Act Award Winner (2019), and Premier Gospel Awards Best International Act winner.

With several bodies of work over the years including 5 albums; Blind (2016), Before Now (2018), Afrobeats Rap and Jesus(2019), Bridges (2020), and God’s Favourite Baby (2021). Limoblaze has also collaborated with Christian music staples such as Lecrae, Travis Greene, Ada Ehi and, Da Truth.

His forthcoming EP, Sunday In Lagos showcases his unique flow over colourful sonics, giving listeners a taste of what it is like to be in Lagos, Nigeria’s capital city on a day of celebration.

Despite growing up in a predominantly Islamic part of the town, Limo and his family were Christians. He spent most of his formative years in church and when he wasn’t in church, he was in the streets sharing his music dreams with his friends who would often laugh at him in disbelief. “I grew up in the street, but my parents didn’t let the streets raise me,” shares Limo. “Most of the time I was performing in talent shows and at free local events, often with a live band which made my performances unique.”

Sunday In Lagos is available now.

Sunday In Lagos – Limoblaze

The leading single from his Sunday in Lagos EP, “Jireh (My Provider) Afrobeat Remix” ft. Happi and Lecrae was created after identifying a viral social media clip posted by Happi that featured an Afrobeat flip on the popular Maverick City single. Limo’s Afrobeat Remix became an instant viral hit across all short-form social media platforms with over 110,000 Instagram Reels, and thousands of videos created daily on TikTok reaching over 80,000 on the platform. The internet success led to a surge of streams that placed the song on Billboard’s US Afrobeat song chart peaking at #31, Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart peaking at #41, and Billboard’s Gospel song chart peaking at #15.

Shortly after announcing his signing with Reach Records, Limo released Sunday In Lagos, his first commercial body of work with the label. The EP features the previously released singles ‘Jireh Afrobeat Remix’, ‘Desire’, and ‘Gold’ ft. internationally recognised Gospel Music Artist Ada Ehi. New music from the project includes the focus track “Pull Up.” Fans will also be delighted to see a guest appearance from label mate 1KPhew on “I Believe” where both artists trade melodic praise to God and reaffirm their belief in Him. Speaking to his vision for the project and new label partnership, Limo said, “This moment is the beginning of something special. I believe I am uniquely positioned within Christian Music to inspire the world to see the potential in putting God at the centre of their lives and chasing their dreams.”