The terms "raise the bar" and "raise the standard" are certainly linked to Israel & New Breed.

The group has raised the standard in music over the past few years with an awesome multicultural praise and worship ministry. And now they’ve raised the bar in Christian music with their new DVD concert recording, Live from Another Level (see CD review too).

To make sure that they are staying on the cutting edge, the video was recorded in 24P HD-TV, from the Sheffield Family Center in Kansas City on the Sunday before the 2004 edition of the Gospel Music Workshop Of America kicked off —so the city was already pumped.

The DVD starts with a short film on why the world needed a ‘new breed’, before the band kicks in with "Overture" from Real release (see album review). New Breed enters in enthusiastic fashion as each of the six singers worshipped and loved on God. Israel then entered and it was evident that this was going to be an intimate time with God and not a concert.

Israel is dressed in a brown leather coat, with the sopranos following his trend and the altos doing their own thing. The tenors compliment with brown coats and different colored shirts. Everyone wore blue jeans. (The coordinators of the group’s wardrobe are Mattie Calloway and Dakri Brown.)

Things get started with the fitting "Going to Another Level". The band is killing. At this point you realize that the camera work is unlike that of any other Gospel video. With The Saylor Brothers behind the lens, it's wild. Not too many still shots, and constant imagery of the band, the singers, the crowd and of course, Israel.

The hype and praise continues with “Come in From the Outside” and then there is a nice transition into “Get Up” from the Real album.

Audience participation and enthusiasm is high throughout the video. On “All Around”, the audience (including Martha Munizzi and Meleasa Houghton) were having fun turning in a circle with the group.

It would not be redundant to say that the band was excellent and the songs flowed together well.

“You Made Me Glad” features some stirring highlights from Mo' Horns and Javier Solis on percussion. Then the singers smoothly transition into an acappella “Who Is Like the Lord” (from the New Season project), with band entering a little later.

As Israel and the New Breed singers go backstage for a costume change, the band gets some time to shine on what they call “Minstrel’s Advance”. Musical director Aaron Lindsey anchors things behind the keyboard.

Israel & New Breed return with all-white attire, a set-up for the intimate set that they go into, that includes a wonderful medley of “I Still Love You” and “Magnificent and Holy”, both from Real.

At many concerts, there are those moments where you know that the place is going to another level in God. On this recording, that happens during “Breathe Into Me”. The cameramen make sure that they capture (as much as they can), the essence of what happened: people (of many nationalities and ages) worshipping God with reckless abandon. The band, the singers and Israel all become overwhelmed with the presence of God. Israel then goes into prophetic singing. It gets to a point where Israel lays his head on his keyboard and just worships.

Bishop Joseph Garlington joins the group on “So Easy to Worship” and then stays to eloquently introduce mega-hit “Friend of God”. Dakri Brown steps in to sing the bridge. Michael Gunger, co-writer of “Friend of God” (along with Meleasa Houghton) also steps in to sing the bridge, giving way to Staci Joseph, who gives a beautiful rendition of “Friend”.

Don’t be confused. Being God’s friend is meant to be a recurring theme.

On the “Friend Medley”, Daniel Johnson amazes as he sings more than half of “No Not One” in high falsetto. Just when you think that he will not go any higher, he goes ahead and does just that.

It is been said that Israel excels in capturing the heart of his fellow worshippers (see interview). Watch this as he introduces “Another Breakthrough”, for people are still standing and listening with expectancy. Bishop Garlington returns and gives an awesome mini-sermon which is a perfect segue into “Lord of the Breakthrough”.

Martha Munizzi joins Israel on “There’s a Liftin of the Hands” and “New Season”. The concert ends on a high note with their signature song “You Are Good”.

Buried in amongst the concert and songlist, are some DVD extras, including the innovative 'drum-cam' segment (with camera place high above the kit), and some great capture of backstage moments and preparations.

There is nothing quite like seeing Israel & New Breed in concert. If you haven't had that opportunity yet, then this Live From Another Level DVD recording will set you up.

Check out these video stills from DVD below.