MY TOP 10 ALBUMS FOR THE YEAR 2014

2014 has been an awesome year in gospel music, we have seen awesome releases and surprises from various artists that made music this year fresh and exciting.They were quite a number of albums released this year and assessing them all will be quite a herculean task, but i would like to share with you my Top ten album releases in the year under review. I have included two albums which though not a 2014 release, rocked my world all the same. In  no particular order,

10- I Will Trust- Fred Hammond-After hearing the story behind this release, i knew this was one album i needed to listen to, get ready to  praise with 'festival of praise'  the soft rock feel on 'Comforter' and a reaffirmation of faith on the title track 'I will trust'. Quite novel and fresh from Fred Hammond.

09- Anomaly Lecrae- Lecrae returned in 2014 with A new sound on Anomaly, which features a unique message centered on a wide variety of topical issues. Hear his view on Americas decline on her core values in 'Welcome To America', his explicit revelation about his life's story on 'Good bad ugly'  a celebration of the love he shares with his wife on 'All I need is you' and a clarion call to stay uniquely different on the title track Anomaly. I'm not such a fan of Rap, but this album did get my attention, and it was worthwhile.

08 -I see VictoryJJ Hairston and Youthful Praise- JJ Hairston returned this year with a new sound on I See Victory, involving quite  a number of collaborations, songs like ‘You Are Great’ which saw a new mix of the classic hymn ‘How great thou art’, the reassurance of Gods blessings on ‘Bless me'  which also featured  Donnie McClurkin and the declaration of eventual victory for the believer in the title track I see victory takes traditional gospel music one step higher.

 07-Best For Last (20th Annivesary Celebration) Donald Lawrence-Though not a 2014  release, this album made my 2014 really enjoyable, reignite your faith in Gods promises with ‘Just Like the air’ and ‘A rest(Heb 4:19)’, get dancing with ‘Blessing Of Abraham’ and ‘The Gift’. Get some goose pimples with Lahlah Hathaways 'Ultimate Relationship' and experience some profound worship with Kelly Price's 'When The Saints Go to Worship'. A great collection of works by various  gospel greats including  Natalie Grant, and some fresh work from Donald and His Tri-City singers.

 06- Thrive by Casting Crowns- i have always loved Casting Crowns, and 'Thrive' made me love them all the more. The album carried an overall message of total dependence on God, living above our fears and worries.Hear  that message resound in ‘All you ever wanted' and ‘Just be Held’ ,renew your trust in Gods plans with 'Dream for you'  which really suffered on my playlist, and learn to flourish effortlessly with title track 'Thrive'.

05- No other Name by Hillsong- Hillsongs 'No Other Name' carries a universal message that 
encompasses the core of our beliefs as Christians, listen to the Nicene creed turned to a song on 'This I Believe' or revive the power of the cross in 'Calvary', reflect on Gods grace in 'Broken Vessels' and you cant help but replay the bridge in 'Heaven and Earth' as it proclaims the power in the name of Jesus. Hillsong have been consistent with lyrics that speak straight to the heart and they replicate this in No other name, i totally enjoyed it.

04-Unstoppable by Jesus culture-the live album unstoppable, was released in January this year
 after been recorded  at the Jesus culture conference.I enjoyed this album so much it was on
replay for months, enjoy Kim's soaring vocals on 'we will run' that just keeps you dancing, enter some deep worship with quilalas 'You made a way' and 'No other Like you', not forgetting 'Your name is glorious' and the title track 'unstoppable love'. Overall, this is my best JC album to date, it was an awesome year opener for me.

 03-Unstoppable Vashawn Mitchell-The second unstoppable album to rock my world this year, Mitchell releases a collection that is just phenomenal, there's an undeniable presence on ‘God my God' and its reprise ‘Your name (The moment)', the sense of dedication on ‘This is to You’ and a bold declaration of victory on the title track ‘Unstoppable'. I must say that ‘God my God' remains my favorite worship song this year, i just cant get over it.

02-Withholding Nothing William McDowell- Though not a 2014 release , this album spilled over its effects from last year to this year, my most comprehensive worship album, you cant miss the presence on ‘My Heart Sings', and the ‘Withholding nothing Medley', the sense of utter dependence on ‘Can't Live without You', the clarion call for revival in ‘Expecting’ and the victory proclamation in ‘We will Prevail' and ‘Through Christ'. Withholding Nothing is more than an album its an experience every worshiper should have.

01-Live Through It, James Fortune and FIYA- Arguably one of Jame's greatest work and his first Live recorded album,Live Through It just turned my playlist upside down.A double disc release,it was  a healthy dose of great music, you cant help but dance to the pop feel on ‘All for me', get clapping to ‘Best Praise’, not forgetting the now worship classic, ‘We give you glory’, the sense of surrender in ‘Light the Way’ and ‘Empty Me' and the  power in ‘Let Your Power Fall’ which sees Zacardi Cortez declaring in robust vocals,  the power of God and the relaxing feel of 'Smile'. I still haven't recovered from this album, it sure will be on my playlist for a long time. and yes it was my best album of 2014.

So this were the albums I enjoyed most this year, what about you? did any of this albums make your hit list ? ill love to know, please drop your comments below

2015 promises to be even more exciting with greater releases from top gospel artists, stay with BTR to find out about them soon as they're out.

Thank you so much for your abundant support within the short time BTR came on board, you're the reason were still  here, I promise to make it more exciting and fun filled in the new year , have an awesome 2015, you aint seen nothing yet.

Much Love

BTR team 2014.

Experiencing The Experience

Its that time of the year again, and the excitement and vibe is on for the biggest worship concert on the planet, its the 2014 Edition of The Experience and it is the most significant event in gospel music in Nigeria.It is an annual worship festival hosted by The House on the Rock Church in association with  ministries and Churches around the country,it comes up every first Friday of December.

This year promises to be Extremely exciting, with a great line up of international and local gospel acts.

Artists that have been around over the years and that will be here again include
Donnie McClurkin,Don meon,Micah stampely,Isreal Houghton,Frank Edwards, Frekeh Umoh and Midnight Crew.

In addition to the above, certain artists that will be making their debut at the Experience this year,bringing freshness to the encounter,they include Sinach
,Chioma Jesus,Nathaniel Bassey, Onos, Angela Christie and the group Albaster Box.

Now in its ninth year running, The Experience , will be a refreshing  time and a good way to lunch into the holidays, aside having the opportunity to give God thanks for the year.
Wether you're a fresh man or  youve attended before, here are some few points to note when coming for the Experience 

1-Take a good Rest-Take out some time to rest before coming so you're refreshed enough to keep your praise on all night.

2-Come Early-Because The experience plays host to an enormous crowd of people, (probably the largest uve ever seen), it is advisable to get  to the venue early.No time is too early to get to the venue,people start arriving as early as 2pm.Early attendance helps with Good sitting and a generally wholesome time. So ensure you're there on time

3-Avoid the Galleries- If you make it early to The Experience ,ensure you find sitting in the main bowl of the square. The galleries are usually noisy and this will certainly affect worship time.Also, exiting is easier from the main bowl than the gallery,this saves you time and being trampled upon.The galleries are also less safe/secure, so you might as well avoid them.

4-Come in groups-It is advisable not to come to The Experience alone.Come with a friend or group of friends, for security reasons. Your property will be generally safe if the people next to you are familiar faces rather than strangers. So ensure you don't come alone.

5-Come with Your snack-Since its an all-night event, there's a high probability you will get hungry, so ensure  to come with your hamper of snack or drinks, as food sold around the venue will generally be overpriced.Aside that you will want to make your movement during the program as minimal, as possible(which includes moving around trying to grab some food) to ensure better safety of your belongings.

6-Focus-With such a large crowd of people, it is so easy to be distracted from the worship and miss out on what brought you in the first place, so while at the experience ensure youre focused and not distracted so you can enjoy Gods best.

With those points in mind you should be set to enjoy Experience this year.Its slated to hold this Friday,5-12-14 at the Tafa Balewa Square, Onikan Lagos,starting at 7pm.

Buses will be available at a bustop near you.
Come hear live music at its best.

So have you been to The Eperience before? Are you going this year? Who are you most excited to see? Feel free to drop your thoughts and comments below, ill loooove to know.