Mathew Knowles’ Music World Music presents The Ultimate Gospel Volume One, the first in a series of CDs that feature collections of songs from some of the nation’s most popular contemporary gospel artists. The series’ first CD features Music World Gospel artists: Brian Courtney Wilson, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Juanita Bynum, Micah Stampley, Pastor Rudy, and Michelle Williams. These award-winning and critically-acclaimed artists present songs that inspire and include music that ranges from praise and worship to R&B style gospel songs. Ultimate Gospel will be released in digital form only and is available at iTunes, Amazon.com and other online music retailers everywhere on October 11.
“The Ultimate Gospel brand is a perfect vehicle to showcase the music of the stellar roster of award-winning gospel recording artists affiliated with the Music World Gospel label,” said Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “Each of our artists brings a different approach to gospel music. Through the compilations in this series, listeners can experience praise and inspiration in a variety of ways.”
The CD features two of the hit singles, “Just Love” and “All I Need” from three-time Dove Award nominee Brian Courtney Wilson’s 2009 debut album, Just Love. The CD entered at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Album chart and #6 on Billboard’s Top Christian Album chart. The CD has remained at #1 on the Christian Music Trade Association’s (CMTA) Inspirational Album chart for 52 weeks. Since its release in June 2009, Just Love has held steady in the Top 20 on the Billboard Top Gospel Album chart for over 90 weeks—longer than any other CD title on Billboard’s Top 50 that year. “All I Need,” his first single was the longest-running single at that time, charting 92 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart.
The single, “Just Love,” received a Dove Award nomination for Urban Recorded Song of the Year. The single paints a portrait of family, whether blood relatives or surrogate kin, knitted together and thriving in one place. It is an ode to community and the sense of belonging that a community bestows on its members, no matter their stature or social standing. It is a tribute to St. John’s Church in downtown Houston, which embraced Wilson as a member, nurtured his growth and named him Cultural Music Director.
Ultimate Gospel includes two songs from GRAMMY® Award nominated, Dove Award and Stellar Award winners Trin-i-tee 5:7. “Listen” was the #1 single from the group’s 2007 award-winning hit CD, T57. The upbeat, contemporary R&B style song about keeping the faith 1even when things aren’t going your way, won the 2008 Dove Award for Urban Recorded Song of the Year. “I Need You,” is featured on Trin-i-tee 5:7’s current CD, Angel and Chanelle. Release in May, 2011, the album is the first product of the group after transitioning to a duo. “I Need You,” is a hopeful expression of our need for God’s help to make our lives what they should be.
Gifted. Inspirational. A Worshipper. Internationally acclaimed recording artist Juanita Bynum has blessed her audiences and devoted supporters worldwide with her anointed voice and powerful songs. Her CD project, The Diary of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh), is recorded under her newly-formed label, Son Flower Records, a joint venture with Music World Gospel. The single, “Soul Cry” debuted at #1 on CMTA’s Christian Singles/Tracks chart and remained at # 1 for 22 weeks. The single also entered at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Singles chart.
There are also two contributions from award-winning artist Micah Stampley. “I Believe” is a contemporary, congregational, praise and worship song with a simple message of power and faith. Written by Micah’s wife and songwriting partner, Heidi Stampley, the song was featured on his sophomore CD, A Fresh Wind and re-released on his EP project Release Me, a joint project of his independent label, Interface Entertainment, and Music World Gospel. “The Corinthian Song,” recorded from his live album, Ransomed, is a lush and uplifting praise and worship song with an arrangement by V. Michael McKay that evokes the styling of the much lauded Richard Smallwood.
Two songs from Michelle Williams’ two smash-hit albums are included. Both speak to the uplifting reassurance of God’s faithfulness to us. “Heard a Word” is an R&B style song with echoes of the music from her days with Destiny’s Child. The song is from her debut CD, Heart To Yours, which hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart. “Do You Know,” the pensive but hopeful title song from her sophomore album, peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart.
Pastor Rudy Ramus rounds out the 10 tracks on the CD with “Peace,” from The Pastor Rudy Experience Volume 1: Touch, a music compilation with a bonus DVD that embodies the “experience” created and inspired by the life of Pastor Rudy Rasmus. The song features the incredible vocalizations of gospel artist Nikki Ross. Rudy Rasmus is an author, pastor, street ethicist, and global humanitarian with a passion for outreach to our world’s most impoverished citizens. Pastor Rudy co-pastors St. John’s Church, located in downtown Houston, with his wife Juanita. Pastor Rudy is Music World Gospel’s Ambassador and host of SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio’s “Pastor Rudy’s Love Revolution.”
For more information on Ultimate Gospel Volume 1, please visit www.musicworldent.com.
