Matt Maher has earned a reputation as one of Christian music’s most sought-after singer/songwriters and worship leaders in the music community today, but he’s also known as a man with striking conviction and the ability to relate that passion and conviction to listeners ranging from the studied theologian to the layperson.

On September 20 Maher will deliver The Love In Between, an album that takes church from within the four walls to the handshake between two people. Matt’s third release on Essential Records is a watershed album defining his artistic direction and sets apart his signature vocals and compelling writing style. The Love In Between is encouraging, hopeful and authentic; the articulation of who Matt is as a man, husband, soon-to-be-father, brother and follower.

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By Jessica Brooks - BREATHEcast reporter

"Let me rediscover you" are the words that Canadian born band Downhere sing not only in their current single "Let Me Rediscover You" (off the album On The Altar Of Love, released 23 August) but also within their prayers. (See the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/3O0BfTOkGK8.)

With many years in ministry and being in church, one may be tempted to wonder if there's anything new to learn about God. BREATHEcast recently interviewed one of Downhere’s two leader singers, Marc Martel, about this subject, the upcoming album, and more.

BREATHEcast: “Let Me Rediscover You” speaks of knowing God in a new way and being in a fresh place in God. How did this song come about?

MM: "Rediscover" is currently my prayer. I think it's something all believers can identify with. I grew up in the Church, a pastor's kid. So getting comfortable with thinking I know all I need to know about God is a trap I sometimes fall into. That said, this prayer was written not exclusively for believers. We all approach God with our preconceived notions, as pure and as humble as our intentions may be. This is a prayer of humility in seeking the true God and expectation that He will continue to reveal himself in our lives more every day.

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Since the debut of Leeland’s acclaimed Sound of Melodies (2006), the three-time GRAMMY and eight-time GMA Dove Award nominated progressive worship band has become one of the most respected and influential voices in worship music. With their upcoming fourth release, The Great Awakening, Leeland recaptures the essence of their debut album while delving deeper into their spiritual roots; drawing from the wisdom of theologians including Salvation Army founder, William Booth. The Great Awakening, described by band members as an 11-track “worship revival experience,” was produced by Paul Moak (Third Day, Matt Maher) and releases September 20.

Leeland’s writing and recording process brought together founding members - lead singer Leeland Mooring, his brother Jack Mooring on keys, and drummer Mike Smith – with new member (and Moorings’ younger sister and bassist) Shelly Mooring, who replaced the band’s original bass player, Jake Holtz. (Holtz, the Mooring’s cousin, left the band to serve in the U.S. Army.)

As a newly formed unit and fortified with contagious inspiration, The Great Awakening finds Leeland at its most complete. Each of the 11 songs is skillfully inspired by historical “fathers of the faith,” including theologian Jonathan Edwards and Salvation Army founder William Booth, whose depths of belief and passion for God stirred revival wherever they went.

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For the second time this year, Integrity Media Africa is proud to announce the return of Ken Reynolds to South Africa this Spring. The dynamic worship leader of Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, Michigan will be touring Durban and Johannesburg this September and will kick off his shows at the Jubilee 2011 25th Anniversary Conference in Red Hill, Durban.

Personal emails, TV interview requests, radio stations and Facebook messages have been flooding in since Ken Reynolds' debut in South Africa in April 2010 and the demand keeps him coming back. “Welcome home, Ken! South Africans love you and your music and we're so excited you are so willing and available to tour here so often,” says Nurden Cross.

Walter Hawkins, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael W. Smith and Tchaikovsky make up Ken’s personal musical influences, and these combined make him an artist that clearly bridges cultural boundaries. ‘No boundaries, no walls’ is Ken Reynolds pertinent musical mantra, and it’s this message that draws South Africans to him and his ministry. “I feel a call to bridge not only racial, but denominational barriers,” Ken says. He has penned many worship songs that are sung by churches around the globe, which appears on his three critically acclaimed CD?FVD's Great Things, For You I Live and One World/One God.

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11 high-energy tracks that make audiences want to dance, pray, shout and sing along - that's not bad for any band! Produced by Aaron Lindsey, Chuck Butler, and Daniel Kinner, Black & White showcases Royal Tailor’s distinctive musical blend, highlighting influences that range from Bruno Mars to Maroon 5 to Michael Jackson. Band frontman Tauren Wells comments, “We like to get down. If you ever spend any time with the four of us, at some point we’re going to turn up the music, and we’re going to have a good time. That’s just who we are.”

But the band’s feel-good music has an equally attractive message. Having spent a year mentoring youth at its church in Granite City, Ill., and continuing to minister to young people while out on tour, Royal Tailor takes the plight of this generation seriously.

“We were personally working with these kids and dealing with their issues,” says bassist Blake Hubbard. “I think we learned a lot about our calling and what kids were really going through.”

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New video from local artist Niel Higgins.

After four decades as one of the most popular Gospel artists in the genre, Richard Smallwood remains a vital and vibrant fixture in Gospel music. With the July 27th release of his 15th CD Promises, Smallwood showcases his timeless gifts as songwriter and pianist and delivers a body of work that is at once refreshing and reflective.

Recorded live in a small studio setting, Promises is Smallwood’s first CD since the 2005 passing of his beloved Mother, who was the artist’s biggest fan and motivator. “I had not written a song since my mom died,” he says, “I thought the gift had dried up. I would try to write and nothing would come.”

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