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Israel Houghton - The Power of One
| Billboard |
| After a string of successful live recordings with his group New Breed, Israel Houghton delivers a solo studio effort that reverberates with the energy and intensity of his live projects yet finds the acclaimed worship leader sinking his chops into a variety of musical flavors. "You Found Me" is a potent rocker featuring tobyMac. "Every Prayer" is an enthralling gospel ballad that features Mary Mary. Noted reggae artist Chevelle Franklin joins Houghton on the Bob Marley-influenced "Surely Goodness." Franklin also contributes her talents to "Sing (Redemption's Song)," which features Delirious frontman Martin Smith. Houghton shifts musical gears effortlessly from reggae to rock to gospel, and the melodies are anchored by lyrics that underscore the connection between worship and social action. Musically engaging and spiritually uplifting, this is an album not to be missed. —Deborah Evans Price...full text |
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| Blogcritics |
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For more than ten years, Israel Houghton — popularly credited by his first name and with gospel collective New Breed — has brought Christ to crowds in every corner of the globe. Through his music, Houghton has consistently shared that God is watching – there to guide, direct, and protect every step. And because he is known to infuse instruments and languages from a variety of cultures, each listener is likely able to pinpoint a sound that reminds them of home. With Houghton's latest release, Power of One, fans of Israel and New Breed won't be disappointed. They will finish the album's last track refreshed and reminded of Houghton's spiritual convictions and vision for the world. What they will also discover is Houghton performing sans New Breed, and without the collective voice of crowds that have accompanied him on previous recordings. Power of One is Houghton's first solo and studio recorded album. It is also the first release self-described as addressing what everyday people can do for Christ and as a result, for the rest of the world. Though it is debatable if Houghton has alluded to this theme with songs on previous albums (see: A Deeper Level), he has slightly changed his tune and with this release, has a mission to change the world....full text |
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| Mikeymo174 |
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For a decade, that name has been liked to perhaps the most powerhouse brand in Christian/Gospel music: Israel and New Breed. Two Grammy's, multiple Dove and Stellar awards, multiple Gold albums - there's hardly a church in America, it seems, that some New Breed music has not been played in. But guess what? Israel is out on his own. The Power of One marks not only his first non-Christmas studio album in seven years, but his first solo record, without the branding of New Breed behind him. Not to say Iz doesn't have help. Longtime collaborator and music director Aaron Lindsey co-wrote five of the cuts on the record, and performs on it as well. Grammy-winning songwriter Tommy Simms makes some notable appearances, as well as Chevelle Franklyn and Erica and Tina Campbell from Mary, Mary, among others. One thing that Israel does well - that seems to be a long-lost art - is mastering an album to flow and take the listener on an journey. When I was a kid, you had to listen to the albums of the Seventies as a whole to really understand them. That gave way to the single-happy Eighties, and our current iTunes generation of artists seem to often just slap songs on a record in any old order....full text |
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