Mid-way through the first decade of the new millenium, Gospel music is still going strong. If you can imagine, 2005 is shaping up to be even more monumentous, at least in terms of high profile releases, than 2004. Stay tight, here's what to expect:


Some of the biggest names in Gospel are readying for early releases in 2005, including Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe Winans, Kurt Carr and Ron Winans.

Adams is expected to finally release her delayed next album in February, after some pushing back due to label re-organization. Pastor Donnie McClurkin's much-anticipated live set, Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, is slated for release this winter on Verity Records, and

Your Own New Music Expectations!!

Gospelflava.com asked you what new music YOU were looking forward to in 2005 —and you really came through! We couldn't post them all, but here is a selection of what some of you said: Your Expectations

BeBe Winans is expected to drop his Dream project, a studio album on his new label home, Hidden Beach Recordings' Still Waters, which is taking on Winans' own The Movement Group label.

Kirk Franklin is said to be preparing to record his next project, this one to come out on his new Fo Yo Soul Entertainment label. Franklin is also gathering momentum for the release of further new artists on his Dallas-based label.

Look for Kurt Carr and The Kurt Carr Singers to unleash their One Church project in the new year, on Gospo Centric Records. The probable first single from the album, "Let God Arise", is found on the Gotta Have Gospel! Vol. 2 compilation. The fifth installment of Ron Winans Family & Friends releases in January on the fledgling Entheos label, featuring several notable guests, including Gladys Knight, The Katinas and Jesse Campbell. Ron Winans has also announced plans for his own solo project, in addition to other family-based albums, although timing is not certain for these yet.

All ears are ready for the next album from Karen Clark-Sheard, this one sure to be exciting, being the first under the newly renovated Word Records label. A&R chief for the label, Desmond Pringle, stated in a special interview with Gospelflava.com that the signing of Clark-Sheard was crucial for the Nashville-based label:

"When we became aware that Elektra was about to become defunct, we pursued Karen, and actively sought to sign her. She was being pursued by everybody, a lot of the majors, and many felt certain that they were going to get her. But I really turned up the heat. We're very excited about Karen, her artistry and also her ministry. I grew up on their music —she is the type of artist who has a lot of life and resources that are yet untapped, and I am very passionate about getting involved in this record. We’re already laying the foundation and charting the course for the project. She's a jewel to work with, her and her husband Pastor Drew Sheard. They are the ideal example of what an artist temperment and relationship with a label should be all about. That’s key for all artists to understand. I’ve been an artist, and understand both sides. Not enough can be said about fostering the relationship between artist and label."

Also on the Clark side, Jackie Clark's long awaited solo debut is set to finally come from out of the shadows, with a February release date on track from Entheos Music. Sister Dorinda Clark-Cole records her sophomore solo project for Gospo Centric in mid January in Houston, with late year release expectations.

Female Vocalists
Other female artists with albums expected to be hitting retail include Kim Burrell, newly signed to Sony, and Maurette Brown Clark, whose live recording for AIR Gospel is still creating a buzz for those who attended. Kim Rutherford is expected to return to the scene, on Pinnacle Entertainment, and there's a new album in the works for Joann Rosario, on Verity. CeCe Winans is making plans for an urban, studio release on her Pure Springs Gospel label later in the year.

LaShun Pace makes her EMI Gospel debut in January, and Mary Mary are slated for their junior project later in the year (barring child-rearing responsibilities delaying things). Lexi comes through in March with her CD/DVD set on Holy Spirit Records, and Denise Tichenor is expected to release something mid year as well. Dottie Peoples' live recording in Memphis this coming March might also be ready before year end. Natalie Wilson is busy working on her solo project.

New music is also expected from Leanne Faine, newcomer Patrice Wilson (with production from HR Crump), a studio release from Lisa McClendon and a sophomore project from fellow neo-soulster, Debra Killings. Juanita Bynum is set to introduce a new project, with production from Larry Goss and Myron Williams. Lucinda Moore makes her long-awaited solo debut on Tyscot Records.

Choirs
The choir scene never slows down, check out what's gathering steam. The big choir release will be the return of The Mississippi Mass Choir, who recorded for Malaco last year. Hezekiah Walker & LFCC head into the new year with their January 2005 live recording topmost in their minds. Family Affair 3 may hit retail at the tail end of 2005.

The Whitfield Music Group is generating interest with their new project on Barrow Music Group due up. Also with new music will be Chicago Mass Choir (Live in Memphis), Tim "The Bishop" Brown & The Miracle Mass Choir, Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music, as well as an imminent project from Richard Smallwood and Vision. Tye Tribbett & GA is set to blow up the scene again, this time with a new live project on Sony.

Dr. Charles Hayes and The Cosmopolitan Warriors go at it again with a new live recording in February. Freda Battle and the Temple Worshippers follow up with a sophomore set, recorded live, in mid year.

DeWayne Harvey & Unrestrained Praise and also Bishop Larry Trotter's Sweet Holy Spirit Mass Choir, set for something new on Utopia at the end of the summer. Will this be the year for the next James Hall and Worship & Praise offering? Not sure....

With regard to workshop choirs, John P. Kee's V.I.P. Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir is slated for something new come fall, and it is expected that the Edwin Hawkins MAAS series will also continue with another release.

Look for Pastor Orim M. Meikle & Rhema Christian Ministries from Toronto to create a buzz with their live recording. Rudolph McKissick Jr. and the Word & Worship Mass Choir is back for another round, as is Alvin Darling & Celebration, both on Emtro Gospel.

Madison Mission Children's Choir and their counterparts, The Madison Mission Mass Choir, are both expected to deliver new music, from Madison Avenue Records. Troy McInstosh and Joshua Jeneration deliver their debut in February, an eclectic set titled The Christ Campaign.

Male Vocalists
Multiple male vocalists are on the horizon. After some delay, Kervy Brown is set to unleash his first solo project on Evidence Gospel / Light Records early in 2005. Also due up is William Murphy III, newly signed to Sony. Word Records has American Idol finalist George Huff in the wings, ready to follow up his Christmas EP with a full-fledged Gospel release. Cedric Ford is working on something new, together with The Worshipers, on Get Right Records. VaShawn Mitchell is also due up.

Andrae Crouch is still said to be working on releasing his next project on his self-owned Slave Records label, and Mavis Staples is readying the post-humous release of new material from Pops Staples. Marvin L. Winans Sr. is working on a solo project, and here's hoping that it sees the light of day in 2005. Please!?

The members of the defunct Winans Phase 2 are also working on new material, although it's not yet clear where this will turn up.

New music is due from Alvin Slaughter, on Integrity Gospel, and also newcomer Micah Stampley, with a much-awaited recording from Dexterity Sounds, titled The Song Book of Micah. The veteran Oscar Hayes is in studio for Churchhowse Music in Detroit, and DeWayne Woods is gearing up for his major label debut under the auspices of Donald Lawrence's Quiet Waters Entertainment imprint on Verity Records.

Bingo (aka Ron Kenoly Jr.) of The Kenoly Brothers aims to release his first solo project on NGMR mid year, a mix of hard rap, inspirational and soulful numbers. Also look for a new project from Restine Jackson III, and a solo project from Marvin Winans Jr., on his own M2 Entertainment label.

Also busy this year will be Norman Hutchins (who records his next one for JDI Records in February), and also Timothy Wright, Melvin Williams, and Rev. Melvin C. Dawson, who's slated to accompany The Voices of Bethel on Beth-Glo Records. Israel Houghton is keeping busy with yet another project in the works for 2005. William Becton is also having a live recording in Nashville at the end of January.

Alliant Music Group, headed by industry veteran Paul Wright, plans to release several fascinatig albums on his newly formed Vertical Records label. In addition to some of those always well-received compilations he's renowned for, look for Gospel Gangstaz to hit with more heat, as well as newcomers Claudius Craig & Loose The Familiar, as well as Bishop William Toney.

Tyscot has signed Charles Laster II (cousin of Deitrick Haddon), as well as Chicago's Kevon Carter, with both artists anticipated to debut this year with solo projects.

Here's hoping that Marvin Sapp is readying something new!

Carribbean Artists
On the Caribbean scene, look for the Flowmasters camp keep on pumping out the heat. The movement's maestro, Sherwin Gardner, is hitting his stride, releasing not only his own projects, but helming albums from regarded artists such as Jadee. Other island albums are imminent from the hard-hitting Monty G, and the always-thrilling Mr. Lynx. Chevelle Franklyn is slated to drop fresh material on the newly-formed N.O.W. Records.

Quartets
On the quartet front, the early part of the year is already packed with releases. All ears are waiting for the return of The Mighty Clouds of Joy with their EMI Gospel label debut slated for April. Evelyn Turrentine Agee is due up on Light Records, her project recently recorded at the tail end of 2004. The Lumzy Sisters' next album and also a solo project from the group's lead singer, Quita Lumzy, are anticipated from Marxan Records. Bo Peep and Good News record in January in Wilson, North Carolina, and the resulting album may see the light of day in 2005 on World Wide Gospel.

Also due up is former member of The New Gospel Keynotes, Teddy Cross, with a solo album on his own Mega Faith Records. Savoy has announced their first quartet project in a long while, something from The Anointed Jackson Sisters. No doubt there will be more quartet style music in 2005, what with the emergence of new label Humility Music Group, and various other smaller labels continually sprouting up.

Re-Issues
Treasures from years gone by continue to be re-issued, some very nicely so. Look for some more fabulous material to come from the innovative, Grammy-nominated Dust To Digital label. Swedish Gospel label Gospel Friend is putting the focus on well-researched re-issues of Gospel groups from the 1940's and 1950's, and Liquid8 Records is set to continue to bring forward some great stuff from their catalogue. Light Records will put Andrae Crouch's Soulfully project on CD for the first time in February. AIR Gospel has plans to re-release a ton of material from their extensive quartet catalogue early in the year.

Groups and Ensembles
Anointed is back, the duo newly signed to Sony Urban Gospel, and coming in April with Now Is The Time, featuring guest Andrae Crouch, and production from names such as Warryn Campbell and Mark Heinemann. Out Of Eden is working on a Hymns album for Gotee Records, with a March release date expected. PAJAM is set to introduce their new urban male trio, 21:03, under the Provident banner, and newcomers Lindsey and Jemika Ferguson of Detroit are sure to cause a buzz with their independent release.

Verity has plans to put out a sophomore project from The Singletons, and First Creation, a four-man group from Toledo, Ohio, will emerge on Amir Records. The Murrell Family, long established in Gospel, debuts later in the year on Donald Lawrence's Quiet Waters Entertainment label, and DC's Gideon Band is expected to satisfy with a full-length release. The Turrentines, on Tyscot, are another new group waiting to be heard.

Urban African ensemble Milele is packing for a one-two punch this year —a live project and a specialized album focusing on their African-rooted music. Ordained Praise, a new trio on Sereniti Records, is due for their debut, to be titled O Zion. Witness also returns, in May.

New Artists
Like always, some of the nicest surprises come as unexpected. Here are some new artists to keep your radar tuned to in 2005.

James Bowman III has made waves on Madison Avenue Records; recent compilation project, and he's set to emerge with his own solo project on the label in 2005. Also new from Madison Avenue (who have a busy year lined up) are Milton Doggette, Michael Awoniyi, Ganoune Diop, Heritage and Tina Gaines.

There's quite a buzz about Timbo, a new artist coming out the Shabach Entertainment camp. Vickie Winans' new label is touting teenage artist Aaron Fuller, and EMI Gospel is preparing to introduce Darell Petties & SIP (who you can get a taste of on the WOW Gospel 2005 release).

Charles Woolfork is working on bringing forward several promising new artists on his own, newly started label. It is hoped that Montrel Darrett's Daddy Jim Records bring forth their long-promised roster in 2005 as well. Mary Alessi, twin sister to Martha Munizzi, makes her mark in 2005 with her solo praise and worship album.

New choir His People are rumored to arrive in April, and Connie, from LaRue Records, is slated for debut in March. Philly's Deveron Patterson, said to sound like a cross between Donnie Hathaway and Thomas Whitfield, is being produced by David P. Stevens.

Hip Hop
Hip hop continues to heat the Gospel scene. The Cross Movement Records is readying for a huge year, with releases from CM crew members John Wells and Phanatik, as well as from British counterparts, MOD. KJ-52 continues to be prolific, his Behind The Musik project enters in February. Sean Slaughter comes through early in the year, and Macho, of New Breed, brings new heat in January.

Syntax Records is working do deliver new stuff from Def Shepard, as well as a Night Owls 3 and Fashion Expo 2 set. SGR Music hopes to present Dollar Bill, Last Man Standing from SOJ and three new SGR Rhyme Family projects.

The Much Luvv camp is looking forward to introducing Cy's new release, and Beatmart is putting out Bobby Bishop. Gotee Records remains in the hip hop scene with new music from Mars ILL and also 4th Avenue Jones. T-Wyse out of Philly, drops his stuff early in the year. Groovesound Records is expecting to push out projects from Heata, Dooney, Lingo and D.O.G. Squad.

Others
Other interesting projects coming your way include DJ Maestro1, with his Mind Made Up mix tape set, due in May. John P. Kee is said to be preparing a children's project, featuring his alter ego, Lil' Rufus. Liquid8 Entertainment drops a CD/DVD titled A Gospel Experience: Live in Italy, a live showcase of artists including Dr. Bobby Jones and the Nashville Super Choir, Tonéx and James Grear & Company.

Then there's the various compilations, including Stellar Awards Hits 2005 from Integrity, the WOW Gospel 2005 set, the Gotta Have Gospel! Vol. 3, and the delayed but anticipated The Gospel According to Latin.

Also intriguing is the Last Say So project, from Pinnacle Entertainment, that pulls together tracks from artist as diverse as Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff, Jonny Lang, Take 6 and Kevon Edmonds, CeCe Winans, Michael McDonald and Twinkie Clark, Tommy Sims and Kim Rutherford.

Yes, the music keeps on coming, with plenty more, for sure, that we haven't mentioned. So sit tight, stay right, and tune in!!!