Freedom Breaks Boundaries
Israel Houghton's and New Breed's Latest Project From Integrity
Israel Houghton and New Breed put out their first CD, Freedom, in a series from Integrity Music.
Israel Houghton has managed to span cultures with this new project, Freedom. Houghton’s masterful worship leading, blended with the talented musicians of New Breed, succeed where many have failed. They breathe new life into Praise and Worship.
Technically labeled as Gospel, Freedom cannot be bound by genre. Houghton and New Breed have transcended any pigeon-hole. They have made each song their own, reaching across barriers.
Freedom in Worship
The CD is well named. Each song contains some aspect of the freedom we have in Christ. This freedom comes across in more than just the lyrics, but also in the diverse musical styles.
Houghton and New Breed choose to start the CD off with “Arise”. It is given a Caribbean sound that could sound hokey and childish in the wrong hands. Thankfully it is right where it belongs. An incredible song that has almost had the essence sucked from it, New Breed gives it new life.
“I Am Free” is another song tackled on Freedom. They play it as a guitar led rock jam, but with a South African twist. It is exceptionally blended and leads perfectly into “The Freedom We Know”. It starts off screaming with guitar, then transitions into more of a bass laden, funky piece.
Ending with the title track is the perfect choice to top this off. The message is clear and is an important one for Christians to keep in mind. “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” is the theme to the album. This phrase, surrounded by beautiful vocals and thumping bass, is constantly repeated and gets into your head and heart.
Excellence in Worship
Israel Houghton has a Grammy and multiple Dove awards. He has a huge reputation to live up to. So does Freedom measure up to his past projects?
Each member of New Breed puts on their best performance as Houghton leads them. The musicians give their all to the Lord, showing that Christian music is far from a watered-down genre. These guys and gals take things to their limit and show that we truly are one in Christ.
A Series That Breaks Boundaries
Freedom is the first in a series that Houghton is producing. This is an excellent way to start it off. Houghton has led worship for many events including Promise Keepers and Champions for Christ as well as for Lakewood Church in Houston.
Houghton is known for breaking boundaries and bringing together different cultures. With the first installment of this series, he continues on this path. Freedom deftly fuses rock and roll, jazz, and gospel into a sound that is unique. It is a sound that will bless all that hear it.
