The Napster Blog

Marvin Sapp, Here I Am

After Marvin Sapp’s platinum selling album, Thirsty, made him a household name, any news about the artist instantly catches our attention. When Marvin debuted his latest single “Best in Me” on BET's 10th Anniversary Celebration of Gospel, we wrote about it and waited patiently for the upcoming album. Well, the wait is finally over. Here I Am, his eighth set, was recorded live from Resurrection Life Church in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Some may wonder if it will live up to the expectations set by Thirsty—including Marvin himself. If "Best in Me" is any indication, we're betting his fans won't be disappointed.

The Holmes Brothers, Feed My Soul

The Holmes Brothers and the venerable Alligator Records are back with another fine Joan Osborne-produced album. As can be said about all of their records to date, Feed My Soul is an immensely endearing and comforting slice of genre-crossing goodness. The Brothers' gospel-soaked R&B, country and blues has always been willfully uplifting (spreading positivity seems to be their primary cause), but especially after Wendell Holmes' battle with bladder cancer (a successful battle, thankfully), the band appears to be even more fully focused on the blessings and wonders that life and love have to offer. The mostly self-penned tracks on Feed My Soul tell the story of Wendell's illness, and though the story obviously details hardship and pain, the Brothers' perspective never surrenders to fear or despair, relying instead upon their Christian faith and their own unquenchable enthusiasm for existence to see them through. It's quite an excellent record.

New Music Tuesday: Mindy McCready, The-Dream, Marvin Sapp and T.I.

Most new music comes out on Tuesdays (it's a U.S. record business tradition), and each Tuesday, we cull through the mountain of new releases to bring you four of the best from across different genres. Click below, or find them in Napster's New Releases section.
 

Mindy McCready, I'm Still Here (country): Fresh from her appearance on VH1's Celebrity Rehab, the country superstar rebounds with the release her sixth album, which includes the heartbreaking title track featured on the reality show.

 
 
The-Dream, "Love King" (R&B, pop): The new song from last year's R&B sensation, "Love King" is the lead single from his upcoming album of the same name. It's currently scheduled to be released in May.
 
 
 

Marvin Sapp, Here I Am (Christian/gospel, r&b): After achieving crossover success with his last album, Thirsty, the gospel singer-songwriter returns with an eighth set of new material, including current hit "Here I Am."

 
 
 
T.I., "I'm Back" (hip-hop/rap): No longer in prison, the Atlanta rapper returns with an appropriately titled new song, "I'm Back." It's the first single from an as-yet-untitled album scheduled to be released this summer.

 
 

Sanctus Real, Pieces of a Real Heart

You have to admit that bands who are still relevant and gaining fans after 15 years must be doing something right. Worship rockers Sanctus Real most definitely qualify in that department. They've been doing their thing with much success over the years, and this week they've released their eighth album, Pieces of a Real Heart. We put every track to the test and can say that the superb production quality and heartfelt lyrics go a long way toward making this their best album yet. Sanctus' last two albums each collected nominations for Album of the Year, and we'd venture a bet that this one is likely to do the same.

Meredith Andrews, As Long as It Takes

As Long as It Takes is the new album from gifted Christian singer-songwriter Meredith Andrews. Andrews is a worship leader in her just church outside of Chicago and is answering a call to serve through song that began when she was just six. You may recall her second album, 2008's The Invitation, which had radio hits like "You're Not Alone." The new album is sure to impress listeners; songs like "Can Anybody Hear Me?" showcase equally impressive songwriting and vocal performances that are every bit as strong as her previous album. The list of tracks is as heartwarming as Andrews' story of how she came to realize she should continue with her music career: "I was leading out on “Sing to the King,” and in that moment I just knew that worshiping God with my music and pointing others to Him through that music was what I was created for, she says. "I was able to articulate for the first time that when I was in a crowd of people, singing to Jesus and encouraging those around me to give Him due worship, it was then that I was most alive."

Starfield, The Saving One

With outstanding bands like Downhere, Thousand Foot Krutch, Hawk Nelson, and Stryper all hailing from Canada, contemporary Christian rockers Starfield are in good company. And vice versa, considering that the Gospel Music Association of Canada has recognized Starfield with a number of nominations and awards every year since 2005. The band may as well get ready for more of the same this year, since they've just released The Saving One. Fans of the band will be elated on the first play though, as the lyrics, melodies, and production make nearly every track chart-worthy. If you're looking for worship music in an undeniably catchy pop-rock vein, look no further.

Gungor, Beautiful Things

Husband and wife songwriting team of Michael and Lisa Gungor are known in their Denver, Colorado community as the facilitators of the home-based worship group Bloom. The group meets for worship in homes around the area as an alternative to gathering in a church. The idea developed during the couple's years on the road with the Michael Gungor Band (now known simply as Gungor), when dedicated houses of worship weren't always available, and the practice has since taken root. Gungor, meanwhile, which writes with the likes of Michael Rossback and Israel Houghton of the Grammy-winning group Israel and New Breed, has released a new album full of spirited and captivating worship music, titled Beautiful Things. The album's songs have a unique point of view, which can be summed up in Michael Gungor own words: "There’s something transcendent about [songwriting]. There’s something about it that seems to set everything into a better perspective. Life becomes less centered on me, and you know, this universe can be quite a magnificent place when it’s not centered on you."

TobyMac, Tonight

When the members of DC Talk went their separate ways in 2000, it was the end of perhaps the most popular Christian act of all time. Of the solo careers resulting, Toby McKeehan's has flourished, extending the pop and hip-hop influences of his former band under the name TobyMac. This week, with the release of his fourth studio album, Tonight, marks his 10th year as a solo artist. The new album is eclectic, with arrangements in different styles, and features a parade of musical guests. It's a polished, well produced effort that will especially delight fans of TobyMac's last album, Portable Sounds. Even this far into his solo career, he's reaching for new sounds and building upon his success, and once again raising the bar for all releases that follow.

Point of Grace, “Come to Jesus”

This March will bring the release of the 14th album from legendary vocal group Point of Grace. The new set is titled No Changin' Us and will feature at least 11 country praise titles, including the single out this week, "Come to Jesus." The Point of Grace lineup has changed a bit over the years, and with the latest member retirement in 2007, the group has carried on as a trio. Although "Come to Jesus" is among the first new material they have released as a trio, the quality of the music is as high as ever. In fact, the group gives the single a lovely and emotive that rewards repeated listens. And if the other tracks on the upcoming album are of similar quality, the project as a whole should do quite well. Point of Grace is taking part in the Come Alive Tour with Mark Schultz, and fans can find tour dates and other information on their website. They even have a cookbook, Cooking with Grace, featuring favorite recipes picked by the band.

Above the Golden State, The Golden Rule

Portland, Oregon's Above the Golden State debuted in 2008 with a self-titled album and captured national attention with their hit “Sound of Your Name.” The trio is back this week with a new album, The Golden Rule, and though the album's six tracks make it more of an EP than a full-length record, the quality of these songs may make it even more successful than their debut. Already charting with first single "I Am Loved," there's certainly hit potential for the album's remaining titles as well. With the new album, this faith-based rock band continues to shine as they bring the teachings of the Biblical Golden Rule alive through their music. The band has stated, “To love God and your neighbor as yourself is a commandment we’ve all been given,” and “through these songs, we want to encourage the church to return to that fundamental truth." Nothing like a good message to accompany good sounds.