For decades, Phil Madeira has written poignantly about the trials and triumphs of the human heart. He reaches another creative peak with his latest release, Bliss, whose songs about intimacy, intermingled lives, and innuendo all combine to create an appropriately sunny soundtrack for the Valentine’s Day season.

The album’s title says it all—Bliss captures its creator in a joyful mood, celebrating the new love that has brought happiness and contentment to his modern moment. Inspired by songwriting heroes like The Beatles, Randy Newman, Nina Simone, and Dr. John, Bliss encompasses the full range of Madeira’s influences, from piano-driven jazz to southern soul to swampy blues. In other words, it’s an Americana album by a songwriter who helped pioneer the genre, not only as a prolific solo artist, but also via his work as Emmylou Harris‘ longtime collaborator and bandmember.

Madeira is no stranger to a finely-crafted love song. Two years earlier, he released Open Heart on Valentine’s Day 2020, filling that record with songs that explored the full arc of a relationship. Phil madeira open heart captured everything from the rush of new love to the sobering reality of a breakup, though, Bliss places its focus on the positivity generated by a happy, healthy relationship. The album marks the completion of a trilogy that also includes Open Heart and Hornet’s Nest, with the three albums chronicling a journey that includes heartbreaking loss, grief, rebirth, and the celebration of new love.

The songwriter knows his fans have come to expect that diversity from his music. Even so, he boldly emphasizes positivity on Bliss, an album that unfolds like a personal declaration of contentment from a man in love.

“I wasn’t writing [this album] thinking about the consumer,” he explains. “I was writing thinking about this woman I’m so crazy about.”

Bliss arrives just in time for Valentine’s Week celebrations, with Phil Madeira bringing together themes of love, joy, collaboration, and innovation.

Acclaimed Gospel minister and revered recording artist, and trumpeter, Nathaniel Bassey has finally released his first 2022 album titled “The Names Of God”.

“We EXPERIENCED such glory recording this, and we can’t wait to share this with you. These are Anthems, Prophetic Chants, high Praises, Songs of Adoration, Songs of deliverance, psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs all doing ONE THING! PROCLAIMING THE NAMES OF OUR GOD!” Nathaniel Bassey.

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Chart-topper DOE has created a dynamic new album with soulful encouragement and musical vitality on CLARITY, out now. Released by Jonathan McReynolds’ Life Room Label in partnership with RCA Inspiration, the three-time GRAMMY® nominee has debuted a full-length album of eleven tracks, featuring songs like her #1 hit Gospel radio single “Brighter,” “Clarity,” “Mercy,” and “So Good,” the current single out at CCM radio. DOE, who has garnered praise for her radiant vocals, instrumental and songwriting talents as a standout performer and fresh voice to watch, also marks the release of her new album with the radio launch of “When I Pray,” the latest single to be added to Gospel radio.

Bringing clear-eyed empowering honesty, relating joy, vulnerability, hope and resilience on CLARITY, DOE’s album inspires listeners in gaining self-discovery and understanding of their own spiritual walk with God. Making her start in music professionally as a teenager, DOE first gained worldwide attention performing with her family in the septet Forever Jones, who released three albums and garnered numerous accolades, including the #1 hit Gospel song “He Wants It All” and two GRAMMY® Award nominations. DOE’s third GRAMMY® nomination came as a featured artist on Jonathan McReynolds’ hit song “Cycles.” Continuing her journey in leading ministry and developing music, DOE fully steps into performing, writing, and producing on CLARITY as a solo artist. An accomplished guitar player and writing on all eleven songs, DOE also co-produced on some of the album, in collaboration with her brothers Judah Jones and Dewitt Jones, Darryl Howell, and Jonathan McReynolds.

DOE says of the title track “Clarity” and the album’s theme, “In listening to that song, Clarity is the point where I am in my life. I feel like I’m coming to a beautiful understanding of who I am and what my role is as a child of God.” She advocates to listeners to embrace just being themselves, saying, “The more of themselves that they’re willing to accept and not reject because it’s different from what others think, the more powerful their partnership with God and faith. That’s the freedom I want listeners to walk away with on this album.”

Check out DOE’s current music videos, insights into her journey and life on the episodes of her docu-series “Clarity: This Is DOE” and her upcoming “A Dose of DOE” vlog on her YouTube channel, at: https://www.youtube.com/c/DOEJonesMusic/videos.

DOE, CLARITY Album available now (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration): https://DOE.lnk.to/ClarityPR!WW

GRAMMY®-nominated Hillsong Young & Free announces the release of their latest EP with “Out Here On A Friday (Acoustic).” Available today, the three-track EP features a collection of acoustic renditions alongside bonus performance videos of well-loved songs from their 2021 album including “Freedom Is Coming” and breakout single “Phenomena (DA DA)” which has amassed over 5 million global streams to date.  In addition, “Out Here On A Friday (Acoustic)” includes Young & Free’s brand new song, “At The Cross.”

Originally released in July 2021, “Out Here On A Friday Where It Began,” was written over the course of just one week and recorded live at Hillsong Youth on a Friday night in Sydney. Young & Free enlisted collaboration from several of their very own youth ministry members to help produce the compilation. Today’s acoustic EP release offers fans a stripped down version of their favorites from the album for a uniquely intimate listening experience.

Since forming in 2013, Hillsong Young & Free has released a number of highly successful albums and more than 20 singles, acquiring over 545 MILLION YouTube channel views and 1.4 BILLION global career streams (with a 1.1 M global unit career consumption). The group’s full-length hit album, “ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS” earned Young & Free a 2021 GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Contemporary Christian Album” and marked their second career nomination. Since its debut, “ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS” has garnered more than 45M global streams and over 13M combined YouTube views.

With a combined social following of 3 MILLION plus fans, Young & Free has seen eight No. 1 career singles and ten Top 10 singles at Hot AC radio. Their debut album “We Are Young & Free” landed in the Top 25 on Billboard 200 while “Youth Revival” garnered the group its first-ever GRAMMY® nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (2017). Their recent single “Every Little Thing” hit #1 at Hot AC radio for eight weeks, making it the longest running #1 for the band.

sixtstepsrecords/Capitol CMG’s Passion releases a 15-track project, Burn Bright, which features 10 live tracks recorded during the Passion 2022 conference held last month in Atlanta, GA, along with the five-song studio project, which dropped during the event earlier this year.

Burn Bright captures the miraculous sound of worship of 18-25-year-olds who are gathered to lift up the name and fame of Jesus. The live video captured during the conference for “Shine Like Stars” is also debuting today – click below to watch the performance.

“We are so excited that our new album Burn Bright is out for everyone to hear,” shares Kristian Stanfill of Passion. “We love that it has so many live moments from Passion 2022, songs of offering from our team and friends that are all about one name – Jesus. We’ll never stop singing songs about the cross and the love of God! It’s incredible to listen to these songs and to hear the sound of a generation singing to Jesus, moments where He comes in the room and does something supernatural and miraculous that only He can do!”

Passion leaders including Kristian Stanfill, Brett Younker, Melodie Malone, Crowder, Sean Curran, and Chidima are featured on the project along with Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Brooke Ligertwood, Anna Golden, and Maverick City Music. See below for the complete tracklisting and featured artists.

Chart-topping artist Maranda Curtis releases a potent testament to faith, loss, healing, strength, declaring hope and salvation in her latest album DIE TO LIVE, available now. The acclaimed singer/songwriter has crafted her most vulnerable and versatile album yet on the fifteen-track project, following the release of her last live album in 2018, the #1 Billboard Gospel album Open Heaven: The Maranda Experience.

Channeling her journey through grief, pain, and reclaiming joy and celebration of life after experiencing the loss of her mother in 2019, Maranda Curtis delivers a live worship experience, expressing her versatility in her sound and uplifting anyone who is facing challenging times, with featured songs such as “Lazarus,” “Run,” “We Lift You Up,” “Sparrow,” and title track “Die To Live.” Captured in a live recording in Toronto, Canada, the DIE TO LIVE album is a mix of her live performances and studio tracks, with Curtis writing or co-writing on most of the album. Coming together with musical collaborators Phillip Bryant, Bart Orr, Justin Savage, Rich Tolbert Jr., Ernest Vaughan, Don Moen among others to create the album, Curtis shines a light with a pathway to victory and finding healing through darkness and personal trials.

Maranda Curtis says, “I am excited to share my new album with listeners everywhere. My prayer is that even with current times and facing adversity, no one is alone, know that there is hope and strength still within and with God. I want everyone to know it’s okay to feel and there’s a Savior to run to.”

Maranda Curtis has continued to be a musical force in praise and worship, bringing her ministry on stages and churches around the world.

Maranda Curtis, DIE TO LIVE Album: https://fts.lnk.to/DTL

Toledo, OH – Christian rap artist iNTELLECT has followed up his concept project ‘Ephesians’ with a new remix EP. The original project was created as a soundtrack to a sermon series packed with deep, theological records inspired by the apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesians. The Ohio emcee quickly discovered it was one of the most important endeavors he had undertaken in his musical journey.

Now, iNTELLECT has partnered with Iamlenflow, the producer on the original ‘Ephesians’ EP, to create Ephesians Remixes.

Ephesians Remixes is a four-song revisiting of the records “Chosen”, “Grace On My Mind”, “It’s Worth It”, and “Be the Light” that includes features from Mitch Darrell and Minister Squad. “With the remixes, we wanted to take what we thought of as the best songs and give them a more edgy vibe,” explains iNTELLECT. “These remixes take the original songs to a whole new level.”

The new EP drops on February 18, 2022 across digital music retailers, including Spotify.

Follow iNTELLECT:Linktree | Instagram | Facebook

‘Ephesians’ Media: FiveTwenty Collective | The Bookkeeper247 | Jesus Freak Hideout

About iNTELLECT

With a distinct flow, iNTELLECT has used his gift to spread the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ to areas throughout the Midwest. Drawing his inspiration from the Gospel and life experience, iNTELLECT combines biblically sound doctrine with hip hop beats.

Music and the Message have always been a passion for iNTELLECT. “I’ve always loved hip hop music; the beats, the lyrics, the whole nine. But at the end of the day, if it’s not God-inspired, it’s powerless.” And recognizing the call to share his faith, iNTELLECT continues to use his talents and gifts to reach a lost generation.

Maverick City Música’s surprises are unstoppable! Today, Maverick City Musica, releases the new album Venga Tu Reino Deluxe. The remarkable growth on digital platforms and the rising positioning on radio stations were the result of all the support from their listeners. Thanks to this, they decided to create a deluxe version of their original album, “Venga Tu Reino”.

In 2021, the collective shared various worship experiences with their fans and industry colleagues. Among them, two albums with special guests, live recordings and multiple writing camps.

“For us, it was a project that brought us closer to the arms of our Father and to the presence of Jesus,” shares Nate Diaz. “There were so many moments that could not be included, because the album was already too long, but after much prayer and conversation, we are very excited to share this new edition in which you can listen to every moment of that night that impacted us.”

As part of the celebration of this important release, Maverick City Música is preparing for the first concert of its next tour, which will take place at El Coliseo on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. For more information visit: https://ticketera.com/maverickcitymusica.

“You have been sharing your enthusiasm and confirming your tickets with us, and we are very excited to worship with all of you LIVE, in Puerto Rico!,” the group shared on their Instagram account.

he 14-track project presents 3 new versions of their hits “Me Rindo,” “Emmanuel,” and “Aleluya,” which were later recorded in Union City, New Jersey. In addition, the contemporary phenomenon adds its own adaptations of the songs “Como Dijiste” by Christine D’Clario, and “Tumbas a Jardines” by Elevation Worship.

Maverick City Música revealed recently on its social media that one of the surprises in this edition is the participation in Spanish of Brandon Lake in the track of “Tumbas a Jardines.”

Without a doubt, the Maverick City Música movement has paved the way and become an influential music reference for the dreams and ministries of countless songwriters, musicians, worship leaders, praise teams and churches around the world. The heart behind what they do is focused on creating new spaces, where the entire Spanish-speaking community can be welcome.

Gospel Jazz Music is a burgeoning genre consisting of the improvisational and African American influences of the sacred, Gospel music, and secular, Jazz. Melvin Smith is a master at both. A consummate saxman, his talent has placed him on stages with artists such as Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Oleta Adams, Norman Connors, Fred Hammond, BeBe Winans, Israel Houghton and Byron Cage. A skilled musician, who was a performer at the famed Montreux Jazz Festival – at the age of thirteen, Melvin is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and the City of New York – Queens College. Now he is taking his education and experience and pouring it into his first Gospel Jazz project, Blessed. Available now on digital media outlets everywhere, Blessed is a collage of Gospel music favorites.

A five-song EP, Blessed, features the Fred Hammond hit, “We’re Blessed.” A long-time fan of the urban praise and worship icon, Smith’s remake is a unique take on the church classic. Pulling from the musical influences of Washington, DC, he infused Go-Go into the song, providing the listener with an African-inspired praise experience. “We’re Blessed” holds a special place in the musician’s heart. “This song has reverberated in my soul from the first time I heard it in 1998,” Melvin said. “’We’re Blessed’ is a song I live by, and it’s a song that inspires me to this day.”

Smith features other well-known Gospel tunes on the record as well, including Lamar Campbell’s “More Than Anything”, Mary Mary’s “Walking” and Vashawn Mitchell’s “Nobody Greater”. Flowing from one familiar cut to another, Smith’s saxophone tells a story with each song on the newly released EP. His tone, interpretation and execution make listening to Blessed a memorable musical experience. As a matter of fact, Edward Blanco of EJazz News calls Smith “one of the finest reed man in the jazz business today.” Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times calls Melvin “a proficient saxophonist with a knack for writing catchy tunes.” John Barron at AllAboutJazz.com says, “Melvin Smith is equally adept in both genres [Gospel and Jazz]. Smith is able to successfully blur the lines between the tradition of the spiritual and the inventiveness of jazz; demonstrating the obvious connections missing from the sounds of so many contemporary improvisers.”

It’s no surprise that Melvin is known as a virtuoso on the saxophone. He started playing as a youth. An expert with wind instruments, the Jacksonville, FL, native took to the instrument after learning the clarinet and the flute. He was encouraged to play by his parents, who were also Gospel music lovers. Growing up in church, he used his musical gifts there, singing, playing instruments and performing in church plays. Later, he completed his education at Berklee and CUNY and spent 20 years in New York, honing his craft, performing regularly and recording several jazz projects. A former member of the musical staff of the renowned Christian Cultural Center in New York, Melvin Smith currently teaches music to middle and high school students in Jacksonville.

DOVE Award winning husband and wife duo Jonathan and Melissa Helser have released the second part of their latest album The Land I’m Livin’ In – Days One & Two (Live). 

The second installment of this work adds four new songs to the previously released album and highlights the second of three days spent recording on the Helser’s land in North Carolina. The Land I’m Livin’ In is an authentic expression of what God has been doing in a community in the over twenty years the Helser’s have spent cultivating their discipleship. Listen to The Land I’m Livin’ In – Days One & Two (Live) on iTunes and Apple Music.

“We have been so blown away at the response we have gotten from Day 1 of The Land I’m Livin’ In release,” shares Jonathan Helser. “We can’t wait for everyone to hear this next installment of songs that are coming in Day 2. The track we are the most excited about is “I Can’t Get Away.” We had our dear friend Naomi Raine join us on this track and this song is truly a joy bomb!”