A Deeper Level - An evening with Israel Houghton

Israel and New Breed
Carrying the Sound of the Kingdom

In 1995, Israel and Meleasa Houghton founded New Breed Ministries, an organization comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve within their respective churches and together serve the Church at large.

With a desire to draw people of all races, ages and cultures together through worship, Israel and New Breed began melding sounds and songs to create music that breaks down barriers and defies categorization. Not an easy task you might think. But, it seems effortless for Israel who laughingly describes himself as "black kid who grew up in a white family in a Hispanic neighborhood." Together with the vocalists and musicians of New Breed, Israel uses his own multi-cultural upbringing as a reference point.

"…It's not a white sound or black sound, it's a Kingdom sound," explains the songwriter and producer.

The group's popularity had been growing steadily among lovers of worship music since the 2001 release of their seminal album, New Season. But, it was the 2004 release of their gold-certified and critically acclaimed album Live From Another Level that catapulted them into the limelight for Gospel and Contemporary Christian music fans. Israel and New Breed followed this success with the gold-certified and Grammy® Award winning Alive in South Africa and the Grammy® nominated A Timeless Christmas.

In September 2007, Israel & New Breed released their sixth project, A Deeper Level, which has already garnered the much-lauded group their second Grammy® Award (Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album of The Year) and two 2008 Dove Awards (Contemporary Gospel Album and Contemporary Gospel Song for "Say So"). A special salute to Gospel Music during the 50th Annual Grammy® Award Ceremony also gave the group the incredible honor of gracing the Grammy® stage with the legendary Aretha Franklin and performing their radio hit "With Long Life" during the 2008 live telecast. Coinciding with the release of A Deeper Level, Israel & New Breed also released their first book, also titled A Deeper Level (Whitaker House), which examines what it means to truly live a lifestyle of worship.

Meanwhile, the vocalists and musicians of New Breed also released two thematic "Sound of the New Breed" CDs - Freedom and Kingdom - which were produced by Israel.

With two Grammy® Awards, a Soul Train Award and multiple Dove and Stellar Awards, it would be easy for Israel and New Breed to sit back and rest. But, when these passionate individuals aren't serving in their local churches or recording together, they are ministering through concerts in the U.S. and around the world.

Known for their multi-cultural expressions of praise and worship, Israel & New Breed regularly travel internationally and bring their signature New Breed sound to fans in countries such as South Africa, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom among others.

Additional information: www.newbreedmusic.com or www.myspace.com/israelandnewbreedofficial

CYDEL
WINNER 2008 Urban Pacific Awards
Best Urban Pacific Artist

Cydel (also known as Pele and Dee) started from humble beginnings out of their neighbourhood of Otara, South Auckland. They developed a long lasting friendship while back in school where they realised they both shared a similar passion for making great music and hitting it big across the globe.

During one of their many jam sessions, Pele & Dee discovered a sound infamously known as 'Polyessence' - a unique blend of R&B, Blues, Reggae & Polynesian, cleverly combined with striking & soulful harmonies.

Not forgetting their humble upbringing and obstacles they've overcome throughout the years, they continue to work with at-risk youth in their community & around the world as motivational speakers. Last year in April, they spoke to students at Carson High School while on tour in Los Angeles, California.

Support independant artists and get your copy of 'Soul Finder'. It's sure to become a classic album in your assortment of original music. You won't be disappointed.

www.myspace.com/cydel

SWEET N SOUR
2008 World Hip Hop Champions

ABOUT SWEET & SOUR
The group was founded when they attended Kelston Boys High School. This year they won the Varsity Section at the Street Dance New Zealand national champs earning them a chance to represent New Zealand at the forthcoming World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas. To fundraise for their trip, they held a drama/dance production called Brotherhood about their lives growing up which proved very popular.

According to group leader Hadleigh Pouesi, the intention of Brotherhood was not just to fundraise, but to also give people and inside look at the trials and tribulations youth go through these days.

"We are influenced by all the youth out there who are following their passion, raising the level in their spheres, and making a difference within their communities," he says.

Sweet & Sour: Hadleigh Ioselagi Pouesi, Adam Fifita, Leon Huinga, Fender Maeva, Thomas Lose, David Pene, Arona Leaga, Hurricane Tamarua, Masi Tavita, Linda Leaga.

www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=2882184062

BEN LUMMIS
WINNER 2004 NZ Idol

This year has so far been a whirlwind for Ben Lummis. At the beginning of 2004 he was a teacher's aide at Arohanui Special School, and in the space of just five months he has become one of New Zealand's most recognised celebrities.

In January he lined up with thousands of other hopefuls at the NZ Idol auditions, sang and danced his way into the judge's and the public's hearts. He was crowned New Zealand's first Idol on May 10th.

The following day his debut single 'They Can't Take That Away' was released. It debuted in the National Singles Chart at #1 where it remained for seven weeks, selling over 4 x platinum in the process.

Then Ben set to work recording his debut album 'One Road' which was released on June 15th. The album contains 12 tracks and includes contributions from songwriters who have worked with Christina Aguilera, Jamelia, Atomic Kitten, Westlife, Britney Spears, Blue and Kylie Minogue. Ben co-wrote one of the tracks - 'It's All Good'. One of his standout performances from the NZ Idol programme, a cover of Seal's 'Kiss From A Rose', is also included on the album. The album was recorded in just eleven days and Ben sang all the back-up vocals himself as well!

www.muzic.net.nz/artists/1319.html

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