Israel Houghton & New Breed: Jesus at the Center

Multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist and worship leader Israel Houghton & New Breed recently released a heart-pumping, jubilant, overflow of praise with their two-Disc album and DVD Jesus at the Center on Integrity Music/RGM-New Breed.

Houghton co-wrote most of the songs and shared the stage with guest vocalists Jason Nelson, James Fortune, Aaron W. Lindsey, Michael Gungor, Bishop Michael Pitts, Jeremiah Woods, Daniel Johnson, Charlin Moore, Adam Ranney, Tina Baker, Onaje Jefferson, Krystle Harper and Israel’s daughter, Mariah Houghton. Of special note is the upbeat, bilingual Latin techno-pop track “Te Amo” featuring T-Bone, offering Spanish-speaking fans something unique to shout and dance about.

Recorded live over four days at Joel Osteen’s packed Lakewood Church in Houston, this repository of spiritual energy exemplifies what the church truly should be—not a physical building but a Spirit-filled, walking temple of prayer, power and praise.

From beginning to end, this seamless 18-song CD/DVD is all about Jesus. Israel Houghton’s soulful cry of the name of Jesus in the title track was the epicenter of this earth-quaking, praise fest.

Overall, this musical work was an intentional detour from contemporary, metaphorical Christian songs to the straightforward superlative use of the name of Jesus—the name above all names that is more than enough for us and worthy of all praise.

For more reviews from Ibelisse Sánchez, visit her blog.