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    For our 9th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in total for 2015. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting Second-Half 2015! -- Please keep in mind that any artists that placed in the First Half (like TobyMac, Pillar and winner Paper Route) won't be re-listed here!



  5 of 15  




#5. Zealand
untitled

Release Date: Fall 2015
I've always been a fan of Phil Joel. From his Newsboys days, to his solo album, to his recent work with Peter Furler. The prospect of a straight worship record is honestly a little disappointing, but the appeal of Phil Joel himself makes it a worthy of a little excitement. I'm really interested to see what the New Zealand singer and bassist has up his sleeve for his newest musical venture.
        - Michael Weaver

Phil Joel was a huge part of the Newsboy's (classic lineup) sound for a decade or more, and his return (though he's never really left) to the CCM world with his new band (cheekily named after his homeland of New Zealand) is one to look forward to.
        - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell

Throughout his time with the Newsboys, Phil Joel always carried a powerful and motivating stage presence. After breaking off to spend more time on his solo projects, he demonstrated a deep lyrical prowess with continually reflective, insightful and worshipful messages. Aside from his albums specifically aimed at kids, it has been nearly seven years since he's released an original project, and this foray as "Zealand" seems poised to competently challenge the already massive worship industry.
        - David Craft

I loved Phil's influence on the golden years of Newsboys, and have enjoyed much of his solo work. It's not really a surprise that Phil's focus is worship with Zealand (but the bizzare branding "Zealand Worship" kind of is), and the sound of the band's recently released debut EP gives me hope for what lies ahead.
        - John DiBiase

It says something about the legendary status of the Newsboys that we're immediately interested in their former members' projects. Phil Joel was a mainstay of the band's approach, so we're happy to hear any new material from him. That being said, I think it's best to go into Zealand's record with as few expectations as possible.
        - Roger Gelwicks

  • Visit our Zealand page for more information about them...

    		•
    2015 Part 2 Countdown:

    15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2015
    ©January 2015 Jesusfreakhideout.com



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    Music Out This Week


    This Friday, October 30
    ALBUMS
    Beach Chapel A Special Place In Heaven (independent)
    Kirk Franklin I Am What I Am [Uptown]
    Lucy Gray By The Water - EP (independent)
    The Hyssongs We've Got a Song to Sing [Horizon]
    The Oak Ridge Boys Buried Treasures [Lightning Rod]
    Olive Shoots Music Longing and Loss (independent)
    Various Artists Songs Inspired By The Chosen: Season 1-5 [Capitol CMG]
    Vomitorial Corpulence Martyrdomical Symphonanthem [Rottweiler]

    SINGLES
    2 Lane Summer How Do I Live - Single [Quartz Hill]
    1K Phew & Timbaland Seven Trumpets - Single [Reach]
    Bethel Music Greatness (feat. Aubree Archibeck, Martin Smith) - Single [Bethel]
    Gracie Binion & Mitch Wong Gloria - Single [BEC]
    Lauren Daigle with Preservation Hall Jazz Band Sleigh Ride & Go Tell It On The Mountain - Double Single [Interscope/Capitol]
    Will Ellis My Yesterday’s Are Gone - Single (independent)
    Forrest Frank What a Life - Single [River House]
    goodwill., GodFearin & Xay Hill IN MOTION - Single [Syntax]
    Amy Grant To Be Together (feat. CAIN) [Capitol CMG/AG]
    I.A.N. Pray For Me - Single [Syntax]
    Laura Kaczor Wrapped in Love - Single [Upstream]
    Lady Audri My Body - Single [Syntax]
    Leem of the Earth The Cavern of Dark - Single [Velvet Blue]
    LOUDWERX Bass Go Boom (feat. Magic & Bird, Andy Mineo) - Single [Artist Influence]
    Malcolm Rue & A Tribe Apart Omemma - Single [Syntax]
    Kevi Morse Is it too late? - Single [Syntax]
    Nai and J Follow - Single (independent)
    New Wine Worship For Jesus - Single (independent)
    Lloyd Nicks Glory (Angels We Have Heard) - Single [Curb]
    Blessing Offor Broken Me (from The Chosen Album) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Hunter Plake It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas - Single [BEC]
    Chelsea Plank Make Me Willing - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Razzie & OnBeatMusic Brick After Brick - Single [Syntax]
    Jordan St. Cyr Guide Me Home - Single [BEC]
    Carly Ann Taylor How Glorious (Amazing Grace) - Single [Curb]
    TobyMac The Hard Times - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Phil Wickham SOS (Don’t Let Me Go) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Aaron Williams Abide (Christmas) [feat. Hope Darst] - Single [Provident/Sony]
    ZOEgirl I Still Believe - Single (independent)

    This Saturday, October 31
    SINGLES
    Chaotic Resemblance Move - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, November 6
    ALBUMS
    Big Daddy Weave It's Time For Christmas - EP [Curb]
    Hillside Recording & Addy Prado Come and See - EP (independent)
    Meadows DESERT WALKER (CD) [Facedown Records]
    Mystical Death Across [Rottweiler]
    Chris Tomlin Good News Of Great Joy (Christmas Songs Of Worship) [Capitol CMG]
    We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas LIVE) [Curb]
    Mark Wills Grand Ole Revival [Gaither]

    SINGLES
    Olivia Lane Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Single [BEC]
    Tasha Layton & Dave Barnes What Should I Get You For Christmas - Single [BEC]
    Hunter Plake Holly Jolly Christmas - Single [BEC]
    River Valley Worship Come and Behold - Single [BEC]
    Vineyard Worship Jesus Our Christ - Single [Vineyard]

    VINYL
    Meadows DESERT WALKER Vinyl [Facedown]
    For all release dates, click here!
     

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