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Genre:		Inspirational/Worship, R&B/Urban, Traditional Gospel
For fans of:		Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, Earth Wind & Fire, Tommy Walker
Label:		Integrity Gospel

The internationally acclaimed praise & worship music of Israel and New Breed touches the hearts of millions of Gospel and Christian music enthusiasts around the globe. Now the group's dynamic modern worship soars to new heights with its third live recording, ALIVE in South Africa (Integrity Gospel), which delivers an unprecedented multicultural worship experience ideal for intergenerational audiences.

	Buy 'em here! Live from Another Level Real

Israel and New Breed recorded the two-disc ALIVE in South Africa during a pair of incredible worship events in Cape Town, the gateway city to one of the world's most culturally rich continents. The project features over 20 tracks, including new songs written by the accomplished songwriting team of Israel and Aaron Lindsey, who also produced the collection.

For lead worshiper and co-founder Israel, the recording represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream. "I've wanted to record in South Africa since my first visit in the early 90s," he explains. "I don't know how else to put it, but I was so moved. Almost immediately, I felt this heart connection to the place."

Israel left from that first visit knowing that he wanted to return some day to record a live album "South African crowds are very expressive and fun to interact with," he continues. "Since our music is so interactive, we just knew we were going to have a good time there."

He describes ALIVE in South Africa as "the next level of Another Level," the group's blockbuster album and DVD released in 2004.

"Two themes come out of ALIVE in South Africa," Israel explains. "The idea of the favor of God is one, and that idea pushes listeners, next, to believe that there are absolutely no limits in God's presence." The result is the stunningly declarative songs "Favor of the Lord" and "No Limits" which were written by Israel and Lindsey.

The eagerly anticipated first recording of "No Limits" is a song the group started playing on tour last year. Israel says, "It's kind of a hybrid of the prayer of Jabez and Isaiah 45. Jabez prays, 'Enlarge my territory,' and Isaiah 45 is the Lord saying to us, 'Enlarge the place of your dwelling.' It's as though God is saying, 'Dream big! Drive the tent pegs deep and really believe I want to do this for you.'

"It's kind of this conversation," the artist continues. "Worship for me is a conversation. So, I think when we're saying to the Lord, 'Take the limits off, release me to do what you've called me to do,' it's almost as though he's responding and saying, 'Take the limits off me! I can do what I said I would do through you.'"

Referencing the power of declaring truth in song, Israel points to the radio hit "Friend of God" from Live From Another Level. "When a congregation sings 'I am a friend of God, there's just something about declaring it that reminds you of who you are in God and what His promises are to you."

Recently finding themselves surrounded by the cacophony and chaos of Manhattan's Times Square, Israel and Lindsey stretched to find words of hope that cut through anonymity and loneliness. Also inspired by Israel's reading of Psalm 139, he and Lindsey wondered, "What if people had to remind themselves, 'I am not forgotten?'"

There, in the middle of the world's most famous town square, the duo improvised a melody on that phrase, rendering the message, "For I am fearfully and wonderfully made… I am not forgotten, never forsaken." The resulting song is the group's first radio hit from the new album.

ALIVE in South Africa features the colorful use of indigenous African sounds, thanks to expert performances by local musicians, including renowned Cape Town artist Jonathan Butler, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and guitarist. "Very deliberately, we've infused cultures, sounds and styles, and I think there is going to be something for everybody," Israel explains.

Producer Lindsey adds, "We've always had a knack for keeping a finger on the pulse of youth as well as bridging the gap with older generations. I think we've done it again."

"We're kind of the mind that if it ain't broke, don't fix it," laughs Israel. "We like being accessible. We like doing songs that people can sing in their churches. So ALIVE in South Africa is more of that. To be able to go and do our best in a very live and energetic atmosphere, that's just such a privilege. It's just another level of our musical offering."

This new worship experience bows in the midst of an unprecedented season of success for Israel and New Breed. Mark 2005 as a year of numerous first-time achievements for the group. Taking worship music to new heights was last year's Live From Another Level, a double album and DVD project that recently received RIAA gold certification to add to a long list of accolades. The project gained Israel and New Breed its first Grammy Award nomination last December.

Next, the group kicked off the New Year with its first two Stellar Award wins (CD of the Year for Live From Another Level and Male Vocalist of the Year honors for Israel). In February, Israel and New Breed collected a Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Album, setting up its first two Dove Awards (Contemporary Gospel Album, again for Live From Another Level and Contemporary Gospel Song for "Again I Say Rejoice," from the same project). Without question, it's been a breakout year for Israel and New Breed.

Although he's been involved in fulltime ministry since 1989, it was only a decade ago that Israel along with his wife Meleasa and their longtime friend Aaron Lindsey, founded New Breed Ministries. The group is comprised of noted musicians and singers serving within their respective churches while also performing worship concerts worldwide. Singer/songwriter/producer Israel serves as lead worshiper. A former member of Fred Hammond's highly lauded Radical For Christ, Israel has worked with gospel luminaries such as CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Martha Munizzi. His hit songs—including "Friend of God," "Sweeter," and "Again, I Say Rejoice"—are recorded by many artists and sung in churches around the world. An in-demand worship leader, Israel has served several high-profile events with performances at the Stellar Awards, Promise Keepers, the Young Messiah tour, the NBA All-Star Game Week and Washington for Jesus. He was also tapped as a co-host for the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards and will serve as co-host of the 2006 Stellar Awards.

In exemplary form, the music of Israel and New Breed breaks down barriers, defies categorization and melds sounds to yield an impressive, original approach to Christian worship. ALIVE in South Africa patently continues that tradition.

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