The Napster Blog

Fred Hammond Artist Picks: Napster Playlist

Fred Hammond is one of the most respected production specialists in contemporary Gospel music. With a simply amazing list of nominations for Grammy, Dove, and Stellar awards, he is sought out for his always-valuable contributions to musical projects. Aside from his production expertise, Hammond is also the powerful Gospel singer and musician behind the September release of the album Love Unstoppable. We caught up with him recently and asked him for a list of his favorite tracks, hoping for clues as to what inspires him. He not only graced us with his list, but provided some brief commentary as well:

1. "Celebrates (He Lives)," Fred Hammond

2. "Knocks Me off My Feet," Stevie Wonder: This was the first song I ever sang in public, at a house party off 7 mile in Detroit, at age 17.

3. "Restoration," The Winans: When I heard this song, I was coming home from work on Finkle & Greenfield, and it changed my life. Once I heard it, I knew I wanted to be a professional Gospel singer.

4."Thank You (for Letting Me Be Myself)," Sly & The Family Stone: As a young boy, this was the first time I was introduced to funk.

5. "I’ll Be There," The Jackson 5: I sang this song with a group in elementary school. I sang Jermaine's part.

6. "I Belong to You," Rance Allen: Rance Allen is one of my favorite male singers of all time.

7. "I’m Encouraged," Thomas Whitfield: My Mentor.

8. "Jungle Boogie," Kool & The Gang: Growing up in the 'hood, every basement and porch band played this song. The horn and bass line is forever etched in my memory.

9. "Superstition," Stevie Wonder: At 12 years old, I got my first starlight sparkle blue drum set, and this was the first song I played.

10. "Whatcha See Is Watcha Get," The Dramatics: The Dramatics, major do-wop [street-]corner harmony. It's what I grew up on.

11. "Running Back to You," Commissioned: The first full song I ever wrote from where I was in my life.

12. "Jesus Is the Answer," Andrae Crouch: This song has such a simple, yet powerful message.

Robbie Seay Band, "Miracle"

At the Ecclesia church in Houston, Texas, the belief is that the church “exists for the world and not for herself—she is to introduce and usher in the Kingdom of God into every part of this world.” In the same sense that the church shares their faith with the world they also share their worship ensemble, the Robbie Seay Band. And this week, the band shares with us their new single, "Miracle," from their upcoming album of the same name. Although the band has many independent releases in its past, the new album will mark their third for EMI. The current track takes a compassionate stance, with lyrics of empathy and a handsome vocal appeal. It exemplifies the aspiration of reaching out to others in the manner the Ecclesia mission suggests. If the new album contains more of the same, the reception should be as gracious as the message.

Stellar Kart, “We Shine”

This week, Arizona pop-punk-CCM quartet Stellar Kart returns to the spotlight. "We Shine" is their latest single, and it's a cover of the title track of a 2007 album by the Christian band Fee. The single is a teaser for the band’s upcoming album, Everything Is Different Now. But some fans have already gotten their hands on the entire album, as the band reportedly began selling  copies at their live shows a couple months ago. Early copies notwithstanding, the official release is slated for February 2010.  

Byron Cage, Faithful to Believe

Fort Washington, Maryland’s Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia are both home to Bryon Cage. The Gospel singer’s new album, Faithful To Believe, brings to the rest of the world just what he shares with his ministries. The Stellar Award winner and Grammy nominee brings out the big guns on the new album; Tye Tribbett, Karen Clark-Sheard and Marvin Winans all help out with vocal features. If you haven’t already, add Cage’s name to your list of Gospel leaders. And check out this video performance of the title track for a little additional inspiration.

Kutless, It Is Well

It Is Well marks the sixth outing for Portland, Oregon rock crew Kutless, and the second time they've released an all-worship album. It Is Well features cover songs, but they’ve also included original material that the band says was written to be easily sung. In an interview, Jon Micah Sumrall says, “If people cannot worship with you, it sometimes defeats the purpose. For a worship record, we don’t spend much time covering life lessons and how God works through them, so much as lyrics of simple exaltation of how great God is.” So far the process seems to be successful for them, as both fans and critics have had positive things to say. Give it a listen and you too may find that Well is good.

Todd Agnew, Need

Since signing with the Ardent label in 2003 and releasing the hit “Grace Like Rain” (from the album of the same name), Todd Agnew has enjoyed a string of successes. The first track on his latest album, Need, is the song “Joy Unspeakable,” which has already found its way onto the Billboard Christian chart. Agnew says in an interview about the new album that inspiration comes from many different places: “at the end of it, I am recognizing that we believe we need so many things. But at the end, Christ is all we truly need.”

Relient K, Forget and Not Slow Down

Forget and Not Slow Down is the latest album from Ohio-based Christian rock group Relient K. Celebrated for their cunning and playful lyrics, the band scored hits in 2004 with "Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been" and "Be My Escape." For Forget, frontman Matt Thiessen is said to have secluded himself in a Tennessee complex for three months of self-discovery and songwriting. When he emerged, he had completed all of the album’s lyrics and exclaimed that, from now on, he never wanted to write another record any other way. If Thiessen’s name rings a bell, it may be because he was once romantically linked to former CCM artist-turned-pop-megastar Katy Perry. The pair co-wrote the single "Longshot!" on Kelly Clarkson’s All I Ever Wanted. Thiessen’s songwriting skills are well respected by his peers, and they have and will continue to help Relient K earn rave reviews.

Hawk Nelson, Live Life Loud

Don’t be fooled by the name. Christian rock’s Hawk Nelson isn’t an individual, but rather a rock quartet from Ontario Canada. Live Life Loud is their fourth and latest album, and it's worth mentioning just for the adorable picture of a band member’s pug donning what appear to be 3D Wayfarers on the album art. But don’t judge a book by its cover: The picture may be silly, but the music is hardly lightweight as the band forges on in a pop-punk fashion amid lyrics (such as those of the title track) that beckon you to throw your hands in the air. The rest of the material covers a lot of ground, and gives the album the feeling of one continuous jam session, while a guest appearance from Grammy winner TobyMac on “Eggshells” helps to really make it something special. Great album aside, we’re hoping someone will tell the Hawk Nelson guys that dogs are dichromatic… those glasses ain’t gonna work.

Avalon, Reborn

The well-balanced vocal group Avalon comes complete with two men, two women, “twenty-one chart-topping singles, six Dove Awards, three Grammy nominations and even an American Music Award…” Pretty impressive, huh? Their new album, Reborn, landed in our hands this week, and we’re quite impressed indeed. It’s quite clear the quartet has developed a new sound. Not one that will make them unfamiliar to existing fans, but one that brings their voices into tighter focus, displays a greater pop sensibility, and may bring them greater recognition. The Avalon crew signed to a new label this year, endured a departure, and welcomed a new member. Those events may have played a role in the group retooling their sound (and naming their new album?), but upon listening, we’re sure you’ll agree that they haven't missed a beat.

BarlowGirl, Love & War

Atop the Christian page this week is BarlowGirl—three sisters who rarely need introduction to Christian music fans. Love & War is their new album, the title of which they explain by saying, “We wanted to paint a picture of the two extremes of being followers of Christ.” To them, “there is passion on both sides that deal with the love of God and people and the fight (war) for what’s right and to bring encouragement at the same time.” The album is filled with the kind of outstanding performances that have gained them awards and recognition all along. Below is an incredible live performance on Air 1 radio of first single “Beautiful Ending.” Enjoy.