BUZZWORTHY MUSIC: Israel Houghton’s ‘Jesus At The Center’
Friday, August 17, 2012 at 1:01PM 
By EEW Magazine Music Editors
It has been 5 years since Israel & New Breed gave us the gem that was the 2007 Grammy-winning album, “A Deeper Level.” Now the group is back with “Jesus at the Center,” co-produced with his friend and collaborator Aaron Lindsey and recorded before a live audience at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, where Houghton is a longtime worship leader.
With his newest musical rendering, contemporary worship artist Israel Houghton wants the body of Christ to understand what he means by getting back to placing Jesus at the center.
“When it’s all about Him, it’s not Him getting involved in what we are doing, but rather us getting involved in what He’s already doing,” he said in an interview with CCM Magazine.
“Of all the records I’ve done, this was the least stressful. When the focus was on leading people to Jesus, the pressure was off.”
Though Houghton’s primary focus is on pointing listeners back to the Son, critics are zoning in on the musical quality of the project, and enthusiastically vouching for it.
The brand new two-CD set earned Houghton high praise from USA Today that called him “An impassioned worship leader with impeccable pacing.” The review also notes that “Israel Houghton also has a killer band that blends '80s synth-funk, Latin dance, even arena rock.”
In other words, this latest work is a veritable feast for the ears.
Are you an Israel Houghton fan? Do you have a copy of Jesus at the Center?
Reader Comments (2)
Israel and New Breed are the truth! I love that albums, however, anyone who's never experienced them live is missing out on something awesome. It is not a concert, it's truly an experience.
I used to be a major Israel & New Breed listener but it's fading. Gotten too mainstream/commercial for me now. I'm transitioning to more contemporary Christian/praise & worship with deeper lyrical content. Israel H. was my last hold out.