Just when you think you've recovered from the album onslaught that was 2002 (see Gospel 2002 recap), the new year arrives, and it seems that 2003 will be equally as jammed with new music.

Like always in these endeavors, looking ahead can be risky business, with promised albums delayed and near-certainties not coming to fruition. Nevertheless, it's hard not to anticipate the various rumblings that have been rolling into the Gospelflava.com offices from several sources, over the past few weeks and months. Check out what 2003 seems set to deliver to your CD player:


Urban Music Gets More Crowded
The urban contemporary genre of Gospel shows no signs of slowing down, with the early new year seeing new projects from Darwin Hobbs (Tommy Sims again collaborating) on EMI Gospel, and J.Moss' girl group Ramiyah dropping on Integrity Gospel / Music World Gospel in April. There's also talk that popular duo Dawkins and Dawkins will finally return the recording fold with a new album on the Music World Gospel label.

Atlanta foursome Generation J will release their anticipated set on Arrow Records, with the Two-Edge duo slated for a mid-year release on the same record label. The impressive neo-soul/hip hop influenced Canton Jones is also coming out with an album on the label. The Choir Boyz are back with their sophomore drop on Platinum Hill.

Hype Detroit choir Ernest Lee and Spirit of David are gearing up for their next project, New Psalms in the first quarter.

Out Of Eden heads back into the studio in February to begin work on their next project, Papa San drops more Carribean-flava'd gems with his second Gospo Centric venture and soulful crooner Erick Matthews in busy in studio working on his next album.

Soulmuzik pumps out Gary Mayes and Nu Era's sophomore album late in the year, as well as Rock Stars, the new album from the label's flagship artist, Sounds of Urban Life. Look for new artist Antonio to make a major buzz for EMI Gospel, starting with his inclusion in WOW Gospel 2003, but also with his own project later in 2003. Newcomer Moni' from Daniel Weatherspoon's camp will also be a voice to listen for in 2003.

Nureau
The next solo project from Tonex is slated for late summer, but that doesn't mean you won't be hearing Nureau until then. There's a Nureau Ink Delegation project in the works, featuring Gibraan, N-Tyme, C.Note, Brotha Los, Rochelle, E.B.Williams, LynZ, Rhema K., Ms. Tonex and new comer TeeCi. Tonex's website says that the album will be titled T.R.O.N. (aka The Riders of Nureaumerica). There's also hopes for a Ms. Tonex solo joint.

Compilations
The WOW Gospel 2003 is on track for another popular 2-CD set in February, but there's plenty of other compilations coming down the pipeline. Soulmuzick Records presents something called Street Gospel Vol.1, featuring the Sounds Of Urban Life, Gary Mayes and Nu Era, Nuwine, Lil Raskull, Tragedy, Tre 9 and newcomers Tha Truth and Shei Atkins.

Integrity Gospel will be letting loose Gotta Serve Somebody, a collection of Bob Dylan Gospel songs sung by artists such as Rance Allen, Chicago Mass Choir, Lee Williams and Shirley Caesar, plus a song from Bob Dylan sung together with Mavis Staples.

A Best of Azusa is to be released by Warner Brothers, and Spirit Rising I and II is a two-part collection of Gospel songs from a diverse range of artists, including mainstream voices such as Kelly Price, Destiny's Child and Earth Wind & Fire.

Israel Houghton has joined up with Gary Oliver and Morris Chapman with production from Marcus Dawson on a live project to be released on Tyscot.

Late in the year sees a special Gospelflava.com compilation CD coming from Evidence Gospel.

Female Voices
Vickie Winans releases her long-awaited next solo project on Verity Records in the first half of 2003. Singer-songwriter Debra Killings bows on Verity later in the year. A new project from Joann Rosario is also expected, and the solo debut of Denetria Champ is due on JDI Records.

Keep an ear out for the big Texas voice of Shea Atkins, a 21-year old on Soulmuzick. New female duo Tha Truth used to be on Priority Records (working with Erick Sermon), but are set to turn the Gospel world on its ear with their debut Gospel set on Soulmuzick as well.

Tramaine Hawkins will be recording another project, this one live, for Gospo Centric. Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell and Yolanda Adams also each slated to release their next respective solo albums, all on Elektra Records, before year's end. Gina Thurston also returns with a new album, and Cheryl Frazier debuts on Arrow Records.

Sources say that Clark Sister Jackie Clark Chisholm will also be recording, if not releasing, her first solo project in 2003, featuring a special guest duet with one of her sisters. You can also anticipate Kathy Burrell, sister of Kim Burrell, to also begin to turn heads with her album plans. TBN's Judy Jacobs has an album in the works.

And if that's not enough, Shirley Caesar's much-talked-about Duets project finally sees the light of day before mid year is out.

Male Voices
Shawn McLemore brings his next solo album to the scene, this time with an array of guest voices that includes John P. Kee, Donnie McClurkin, The Williams Brothers and Marvin Winans. Independent to date, the album releases in mid year.

Donnie McClurkin is back with his followup album, and judging from advance peeks and feedback from those at the live recording in LA, is sure to light fires at retail. The album features a soaring duet with Yolanda Adams.

Also returning are Doug Williams with a solo album on Blackberry Records. Keith Staten releases his next solo project early in the year, as does Mitchell Jones, and RFC alumuns David Ivey is readying to drop his soulful debut, The Bottom Line, nationwide later in the year. Shea Norman from FHammond Music is slated to debut, and Andrae Crouch has a new album cooking.

Bruce Parham has teamed with producer Steven Ford for his next solo project; this one was recorded in December 2002, and looks to be hot. Kervy Brown releases his much-awaited solo debut on Evidence Gospel (with participation from Youthful Praise and several other guests) before the middle of the year is through. Jazzy-voiced Kevin Whalum, brother of Kirk Whalum, expects to make 2003 the year of his first solo album.

EMI Gospel is rolling out the next Gospel release from Aaron Neville in January, as well as the next project from Darwin Hobbs. Then, Bishop Walter Hawkins is expected to release a solo album on Gospo Centric later in the year. Alvin Slaughter is also slated to give us new music, with Kevin Bond producing.

Noted songwriter Carlis Moody ("Lord, I'm Available To You") bows with his second solo effort, with input from both Smokie Norful and Chicago sensation Lawonda Campbell. On the west coast, Ricky Grundy brings his solo project to the fore before summer begins, and Rev. Calvin B. Rhone is readying to unleash his next.

Hip Hop
The genre has garned serious attention from the major labels, with EMI Gospel readying the debut of 12-year-old rap sensatin Lil' Irocc in the second quarter.

Anticipation is at a fever pitch for the new Cross Movement joint, anticipated by mid year. Corey Red and Precise, Fros'T and Verbs also each have solo albums in the works. Detroit duo Hazakim has a sophomore album slated for year end.

Rising label Uprok Records looks to continue with their gospel hip hop releases, with a series of albums in 2003 that will bring back some of the genres most respected artists. Label sources say that Peace 586 is to release Generations in February, and will feature hip hop figures that the pioneer has collaborated with over the years, including I.D.O.L. King, Dynamic Twins, Jon Gibson, SFC/Sup the Chemist, LPG and more.

LPG themselves will finally return to the scene with the release of an entirely new album, 23-track album titled The GadFly. KJ-52 goes back into the studio to follow up on his Collaborations project. Tunnel Rats and New Breed also intend to deliver new music later in the year.

Upstart San Diego label Syntax Records is also continuing with being busy, bringing out several sophomore joints for the new year, including a new one from the Sackcloth Fashion crew. Reggae hip hop fusion maestro RedCloud will return. Supercrew The Inklings (featuring Future Shock, SolSeekers, RedCloud and bTwice) will deliver their first full length studio album. After a five-year absence, genre pioneer Braille comes back with a second album.

Hip Hop female emcees Elle-Roc and Kiwi are both expected to hit the studio for their respective albums in 2003.

Quartets
Several veterans are expected to make their mark in 2003, including a new live recording from favorites, The Pilgrim Jubilees, on Malaco Records. The Highway QCs and The Christianaires have already recorded their live projects, with both slated to release on Marxan Records in 2003. February sees The New Gospel Keynotes emerge with a project titled The Legend's Dream Lives On. The Bonner Brothers are expected to be back in 2003 as well. Look for the genre to continue in its popularity in the coming year, with plenty of new artists emerging as well.

Classics
Reliable sources say that 2003 will be the year when those hard-to-find classic albums suddenly become easier to find, since there are plans to re-release them in CD format. Look for reissues from The Clark Sisters and The Tommies, as well as a collector's set of the Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir, and a Best of Myrna Summers. The music of The Church of God in Christ Choir from Dr. Mattie Moss Clark also comes to CD, in a set spanning 20 years.

Choirs
Youthful Praise looks to roll out their sophomore album by year's end. Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Potter's House Mass Choir has recorded their live project, Dexterity Sounds putting it on the shelves later in 2003. Chester Baldwin and the Music and Ministry Mass Choir bring their second project early in the year, from JDI Records.

Here II Praise made a splash back in 1998, and are back with their independently-released sophomore album in February. Ricky Dillard and New G roll out the recording equipment early in the year, for their next album with Crystal Rose, and The Whitfield Company are scheduled to be back with another project.

Byron Cage's praise and worship debut on Gospo Centric is an early 2003 release and Ron Summers and Nu Rev out of Texas are creating a buzz with their sophomore album nearing completion. The latest from Edwin Hawkins and the Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir is expected to be released before Spring. Bishop Larry Trotter & Sweet Holy Spirit Combined Choirs have also recorded an album, with expectations for a mid-year release.

Gotee Records embarks on their first choir project with the already highly acclaimed urban youth choir Sandtown out of Boston. Producer and songwriter Jeffrey LaValley is helming the reappearance of the Greater Florida Mass Choir, along with Chipper Smith, Luther Barnes and Rev. Danny Thomas. Look for a mid-year release on this one.

The Church of God in Christ steps to the plate with an offering from Illinois' Third Jurisdiction State Youth Choir in April. Dr. Creflo Dollar and the World Changers Church Mass Choir are slated for a summer sophomore album on Arrow Records. The late Dirk Chaney's choir, Chosen Aggregation, releases their sophomore album, Another Day's Journey.

Joe Pace and the Colorado Mass Choir return in June on Integrity Gospel and The Chicago Mass Choir re-enter early in the year on New Haven Records. Chicago's VaShawn Mitchell drops a new choir project early in the year. On Malaco, all ears are inclining to Benjamin Cone III and Worship's debut.

DVD and Video
With the advent of DVD and with its increasing popular, look for many of Gospel's major releases to come with an available DVD package. In particular however, there several high points on the 2003 horizon already. Dorinda Clark-Cole records her live video for Gospo Centric in January, with many hoping for a quick release later in 2003. Natalie Wilson and SOP Chorale and Percy Bady are collaborating. Fred Hammond's Pages of Life 3 DVD is also on tap for 2003. The Best of Hezekiah Walker on DVD, releasing mid year, is also sure to be popular, as is the first DVD live recording release from Mary Mary.

Carribean
There is plenty percolating in the islands. Papa San's sophomore album will be a big release. Vision from The Bahamas is a four-member group that brings a fresh sound. The Turks & Caicos Mass Choir bows on Meek Records. And on WordSoundPower Records, a new project titled Gravity from Christafari is expected in April.

More
Award-winning Tennessee producer Jason Clark is spearheading a contemporary 5-CD set of Christian love songs. Spare Change is a group coming from Madison Avenue Records that includes a former member of the group Virtue. Brian Moore & Rhema bring their debut on Destiny Music Group early in year. There is high hope for keyboard maestro John Stoddart, who bows on Warner Brothers mid year with a blend of Gospel, R&B and contemporary jazz.

The Family is already in studio, and is set to appear on the scene again for Gospo Centric —for the first time without Kirk Franklin in front. And there is already hype about the The Fighting Temptations, a nationally-released movie with a strong Gospel music content (with Brent Jones guiding the soundtrack).

Israel Houghton gets behind another children's project for Integrity Gospel to follow up on the first well-received one from 2002: Shout Praises - Kids Gospel.

Hopeful
Are we in store for more music from CeCe Winans, Damita Haddon, Richard Smallwood, Saints With a Vision, Love Unlimited, James Hall and Worship and Praise and Myron Butler and Beverly Crawford? We haven't heard yes, but many are hoping.

Conclusion
What did we miss? Lots probably. And then, of course, we didn't mention those projects that appear unannounced to stun, delight and bless in unimaginable ways. No-one knows about those until they arrive, so look out!!


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