World Gospel Outreach Network
Featured Artist- Israel and New Breed
Integrity
Gospel will release ALIVE in South Africa,
the highly anticipated new release from Dove and Stellar
Award winning artist Israel & New Breed on Tuesday, October
25, 2005. The two-disc album will be distributed worldwide
through Provident-Integrity Distribution and Epic/Sony-BMG
with a live DVD, songbook and trax to follow. Israel & New
Breed recorded ALIVE in South Africa during
two filled-to-capacity concerts held at the His People
Center in Cape Town, South Africa in August. During the
concert, acclaimed jazz artist/songwriter and South African
native Jonathan Butler and local Cape Town musicians joined
Israel & New Breed on stage to add an indigenous flavor to
the album. Recording the album in South Africa has been a
dream for Israel, who spent a total of two weeks in South
Africa preparing for and recording ALIVE in South
Africa. Among Israel’s most memorable days during
the trip was a visit Babumelele Children’s Home with Bishop
Charles E. Blake, president of Save Africa’s Children, a
U.S.-based ministry which provides orphan care projects for
babies and children who have lost both parents to the AIDS
pandemic, famine and war throughout Sub-Sahara Africa. “What
is captured I hope on the CD is the culmination of all the
incredible experiences we had while in South Africa,” said
Israel. “The people of South Africa are a precious people
and we were so blessed by the joy and faithfulness they
showed us, and it definitely made this recording experience
the most meaningful I’ve ever been associated with.” New
Breed co-founders Israel and Aaron Lindsay produced the
album’s 20+ tracks including new songs written by the duo.
Butler also wrote a song for the album called “Come and Let
Us Sing.” Alive in South Africa’s first radio single is “Not
Forgotten.” In promoting ALIVE in South Africa,
Israel, along with New Breed, will begin a three week
promotional tour in mid-October, resuming the hectic pace
that has not ceased since the release of the group’s
breakthrough recording Live From Another Level.
Additionally, Israel has been named a co-host, along with
CeCe Winans and Vicki Winans for the 21st Annual Stellar
Awards which is scheduled for January 21, 2006 in Nashville,
Tenn. ALIVE in South Africa marks the
fourth Integrity Label Group album on which Israel & New
Breed have appeared. Their discography includes 2001’s New
Season, 2002’s Real and last year’s gold-certified Live From
Another Level, which received a GRAMMY Award nomination.
Long known in praise and worship circles for their
songwriting and unique blend of music styles, 2005 was
Israel & New Breed’s breakout year. The group kicked off ’05
by winning two Stellar Awards (CD of the Year and Male
Vocalist of the Year), a Soul Train Award (Best Gospel
Album) and two Dove Awards (Contemporary Gospel Album and
Contemporary Gospel Song). Originally formed in the mid 90s,
the group is a music ministry organization. It is comprised
of musicians and singers who serve within their respective
churches and also tour extensively throughout the U.S. and
abroad serving the Church at large.