::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

INCLUDES BEVY OF GUEST ARTISTS  AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW  Order Today And Receive New Songs featuring Tina Campbell,  Travis Greene  And Israel Houghton  Nashville, TN (February 16, 2017) — Sequels are often highly anticipated and William McDowell’s follow-up to the 2016 top-selling  “Sounds Of Revival”  is no exception.  The Grammy® nominated, prolific worship leader is set to release “SOUNDS OF REVIVAL II: DEEPER”  on March 3.    Touted as an ‘all-star’ project  “SOUNDS OF REVIVAL II: DEEPER”  offers never-before-heard live performances from McDowell’s Baton Rouge concert recording. McDowell presented his local community of singers on the first ‘Sounds of Revival’ while  “SOUNDS OF REVIVAL II: DEEPER”  displays a community of world renowned worshippers. The album is full of special appearances by Tina Campbell, Israel Houghton, Travis Greene, Nicole Binion, Jonathan McRey...

buzzz worthy. . . Unshakably British, L. is singer songwriter Ellie Thompson whose music combines a heady mix of self-confidence and endearing vulnerability that few artists can effectively convey. Having grown up on the Isle of Wight with a brief spell in Spain music has always been L.'s passion, she spent her later teenage years travelling the world, honing her talents by playing open mic nights wherever she could. On her return to the UK L. made the break for London where she has spent the last five years studying vocals and songwriting. With experience gigging all over the UK, L. traveled to New York in October 2015 to spend a month  playing a range of gigs across the city, culminating in her headlining a sell out show at Greenwich Village venue The Path Cafe. She followed this success with the release of her debut single 'Her Majesty' on 3rd May 2016 before going on to play at this summer's world famous Isle of Wight Festival with her band. Her second single ...

buzzz worthy. . . VASHAWN MITCHELL, CELEBRATES NEW ALBUM 'SECRET PLACE: LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'  IN STORES / ONLINE TODAY Secret Place Tour Kicks Off In Chicago November 9 VaShawn Mitchell releases his 7th album,  "Secret Place: Live In South Africa,"  today. The highly-anticipated project has garnered buzz over the last several months spurned on by the popular hit single "Joy." "Secret Place: Live In South Africa"  was recorded at the famed MOSAÏEK TEATRO in Fairland, Gauteng, South Africa (a suburb of Johannesburg). The concert incorporated the beauty, power and sounds of South Africa with a prominent sound of worship that has become VaShawn's signature. The atmosphere and energy from the South African audience reflected the globalization of Gospel music and unifying power of wo rship. VaShawn hits the road kicking off his  Secret Place Tour  in his hometown of Chicago on November 9th. Dates and ...

buzzz worthy. . .   The legendary trio of blood brothers, The Rance Allen Group, will release its 25th album “Live From San Francisco” (Tyscot Records) and a separate DVD of it on October 28th. The group pioneered the fusion of R&B-styled rhythms with spiritual and message music themes in the 1970s. It’s a winning style that has won them fans as varied as American Idol’s Randy Jackson, Kirk Franklin, `80s rockers Huey Lewis & The News and Fred Hammond. They continue to labor in this unique musical vineyard on the new eleven-song set that was recorded live at the Bay area’s Richmond Memorial Auditorium. Rance Allen will be a guest on the “Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell” syndicated radio show on 10/28 @8:11 AM EST to talk about the project. He’ll also be a guest on “Sunday Praise with J.J. Hairston” this Sunday 10/25 on Hot 93.7 FM in Hartford, CT and with “The Big Rube & Sctonda Morning Show” on 1380 AM in N. Augusta, SC...

buzzz worthy. . . Photo credit: Katrin Braga Inuk punk Tanya Tagaq’s new album,  Retribution , has been released. The improvisational, avant-garde artist has broken into the mainstream with recent coverage from Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, NPR and more. Tagaq’s messages are clear: the Earth is in crisis, and the destruction we have brought upon it is the same devastation we have done to each other. Tagaq speaks resolutely and eloquently on horrifying, harrowing injustices done to women and Indigenous peoples. Tagaq fights against the ethnocentric and hypocritical ignorance of the seal ban, the effects of which have besieged the culture and wellbeing of the Inuit people.   Retribution  is about all of these things, and it’s also the best album of Tagaq's career. Early reviews corroborate this sentiment. On her fourth album, Tagaq has harnessed the potency of her live show into a sophisticated, cohesive and commanding work of art. Retribution  is gener...

buzzz worthy. . . NEW ALBUM FEATURES TOP 20 HIT SINGLE “GOD’S GRACE” AND RE-AFFIRMS THE CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ON " THE FAVOR OF GOD " The Reverend Luther Barnes comes from a notable gospel background. His father, Bishop F.C. Barnes, wrote and scored a hit with the gospel standard “Rough Side Of The Mountain.”  Raised in the church from a young age, Rev. Barnes felt called to music ministry and embarked on a hit-making career as lead singer, producer, songwriter and director of the “quartet” gospel group Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires. He also founded The Red Budd Gospel Choir which also scored a string of hits, including the Stellar Award-nominated “Somehow Some Way.”  Now Rev. Barnes steps forward with a brand new choir, the Restoration Worship Center Choir, and a stunning set of new compositions. The Favor Of God, his first choir project in a decade, is to be released by Shanachie Entertainment/SRT Entertainment on Sept. 9, 2016....

HAMMOND KICKS OFF NATIONWIDE FESTIVAL OF PRAISE 2016 TOUR NASHVILLE—  Award-winning gospel superstar and producer     Fred Hammond   releases his much-anticipated new album   WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE   today on RCA Inspiration.  Recorded live from Houston, the 12 track album delivers an exquisite blend of all-new songs handpicked from Hammond’s soul.    WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE   is available everywhere music is sold.    WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE  is Hammond’s first live recording in 17 years and features the popular single “Father Jesus Spirit.” Filled with the dynamic ministry and acclaimed live musicianship that has made him one of gospel’s most popular and influential artists over the past 30 years,  WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE  follows on Hammond’s most recent chart-topping release  I Will Trust  (2014).  “This album is very autobiographical but I think my listeners will find a lot of the the...

buzzz worthy. . . Shanachie Entertainment has partnered with gospel artist Ted Winn's Teddy's Jamz label to release Ted's new single "Grateful," a moving gospel ballad, which is at once an expression of appreciation for life's blessings and a posthumous collaboration and salute to Ted's friend and musical influence, the Bishop Walter Hawkins. "The Song pays tribute to Hawkins' classic song "Grateful" led by Lynette Hawkins Stephens. With the single already warmly received by gospel radio, Shanachie will mark the partnership with the release of the single and accompanying video on September 16th. Promoting the single to radio is SRT Entertainment, continuing its partnership with Shanachie that began with the new single and album by Luther Barnes. The release of the new album (as yet untitled) is projected for early 2017 and will enhance Shanachie's growing involvement with gospel music, having had success with Kim Burrell, Vi...

buzzz worthy. . . Nashville, TN (July 20, 2016) – Today, award-winning hip-hop artist  Derek Minor  debuted the video for his new single “Free” via his blog,  www.derekminor.com/blog . The recent murders of  several African-Americans by law enforcement including the killing of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, struck a deep chord inside of Minor. This motivated him to write and produce "Free," which addresses the violence and disparities in our culture based on race. “Free,” written, produced, and mastered by Minor within just three hours, conveys the anguish he feels inside, pondering the pain and fear of these experiences and troubling times. The music video for "Free," which was conceptualized by Minor and directed by Patrick Tohill, was filmed a few days later. Minor is inspired by his audience to bring about change. He writes music for people and for God and strives to be as authentic as he can and believes that’s how change can start. When talking a...

buzzz worthy. . . 11 Tracks include hit single “It’s Alright, It’s Ok” (feat. Anthony Hamilton), “Fill This House,” “Mother Emanuel,” “Sow Righteous Seeds” and more NASHVILLE, TN (June 3, 2016)  – Showcasing the robust performances and vibrant voice that have grabbed the attention of countless generations, the Reigning Queen of Gospel  Shirley Caesar  continues to create a powerful ministry legacy with the release of her most exciting musical journey yet, on her new album  FILL THIS HOUSE .  Available now in stores and at all digital retailers, the Gospel Hall of Famer’s beloved signature voice delivers healing and spiritual empowerment through the album’s eleven tracks, led by the energetic groove of hit single  “It’s Alright, It’s Ok” (feat. Anthony Hamilton) , the first song on the record. Kicking off the rest of the album, “It’s Alright, It’s Ok” debuts a creative mix of sound evident throughout  FILL THIS HOUSE , as Pastor Caesar ...

buzzz worthy. . . Ohio-Based Gospel Trio Half Mile Home Releases New Single, “Thinking Of Me” from the Group’s Forthcoming Album, ‘Don’t Judge Me’ on July 8 Half Mile Home,  a powerhouse contemporary gospel vocal trio with an urban twist releases their new single, “Thinking of Me.” As the second single from their fourth album,  Don’t Judge Me , “Thinking of Me” is a heart-warming song that delivers Holy Power in triplicate through the anointed lead and harmony voices of  Terence “Buttons” Burton ,  Darryl “Deaken” Brownlee  and Todd Burton . Composed by brothers Terence and Todd with frequent co-writer David “Ready Writa” Felder, “Thinking of Me” is a spine-tingling reminder of God’s grace in our daily lives sung from hearts of eternal gratitude and spirits of sanctified souls. The song opens intimately with piano accompaniment, then blossoms into celestial glory with production elements of synthesizers and rhythm. “Thinking of Me” is the hi...