Live from Another Level (CD - 2004)

Israel & New Breed: Denise Allen, Mattie Calloway (vocals); Johnny "Natural" Najera (acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes piano); Jermaine Smith (organ); Terrance Palmer (bass guitar); Israel Houghton, Javier Solís, Aaron Lindsey, Jerry Harris, Michael Gungor, Olanrewaju Agbabiaka, Chris Coleman.

Personnel: Jamil Whiting, Dakri Brown, Daniel Johnson , Stacie Joseph, Mattie Calloway, Tom Scott, Olanrewaju Agbabiaka, Denise "Nissi" Allen (vocals); Israel Houghton (acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes piano); Michael Gungor (acoustic guitar); Tim Green, Marvin Thompson, Clifton Brockington (brass); Aaron Lindsey (piano, keyboards, drum programming); Jermaine Smith (organ); Jerry Harris (keyboards); Chris Coleman (drums); Javier Solís (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Salvo.

Recording information: Total Grace Christian Center, Decatur, GA.

Photographer: Michael Gomez .

Unknown Contributor Role: Johnathan Alvarado.

Arrangers: Israel Houghton; Aaron Lindsey; The New Breed Band.

Israel Houghton clearly feels the spirit of worship from the deepest recesses of his body and soul, a sincerity that pours out in his music. Israel founded New Breed Ministries with an undeniably affable intention, to use music to bring together peoples of different faiths and origins. Israel & New Breed are, in a sense, a religious all-star group, and its members are ministers in their own right. The passion manifested by this gathering of talent resonates throughout the group's second album, LIVE FROM ANOTHER LEVEL, a spirited, jazzy, engaging double album.

One of Houghton's other gigs is the bringing of the gospel to professional athletes as National Director of Champions for Christ. His time in that setting is reflected beautifully on the rousing "We Win," which ends with Houghton addressing the crowd in a ecclesiastical manner, equal parts Reverend Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali. The crew shows off its versatility on the very next track, the Caribbean-tinged "All Around." The right balance of party and veneration permeates LIVE FROM ANOTHER LEVEL, making for a wonderfully engaging gospel experience, even for the uninitiated. minimize