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2002 was an exciting year for new Christian music, and a good chunk of it came from several talented newcomers. Though we would have loved to include more, ten specific artists handily distinguished themselves from the rest with their impressive national debuts. Many have never released an album prior to 2002, though some have been recording for years independently and others have become their own artist after recording within other bands. Presenting ten new faces we hope will be making music for many years to come.

Click on the artist's image to read our original album review, and use the "Listen" and "Buy" links to visit Musicforce.com.

New Map of the World (Essential)

You might say that Paul Colman Trio (PC3) is Australia's answer to Delirious, in that they're a band that's made a strong impact on the mainstream culture of their homeland. PC3 is the most successful independent artist in Australia's history, which just goes to show how that country (like the UK) is more willing to integrate Christian artists into popular culture. This would make coming to America something of a letdown for some, because of the challenge of being lumped in with the Christian subculture. But it actually fits in with the mentality of PC3, who views America as a larger ministry field. You don't have to speak with Paul for very long before discovering this guy has a humble servant's heart.

As for the music, New Map of the World features some of the most radio-friendly pop-rock we've heard in a long time. This is confirmed by their three hit singles (to date), including their debut smash "Turn," which spent ten weeks at #1. Granted, some of the music is a little simplistic and bland, but bland in a good way (like Mike + the Mechanics or Matchbox Twenty). We call such music "guilty pleasures." But if you listen closer you'll find a lot more to digest than pop confections with oversimplified lyrics. This is a seeker-friendly band with poetic and reverent lyrics that can challenge the mind and appeal to a wide audience. Tracks such as "Selfish Song" and "Sun-Stars-Moon" show remarkable depth, and the insight displayed in "The Killing Tree" is enough to earn Paul some kind of songwriting award. The talented musicians of the Paul Colman Trio are off to a great start; we're confident and elated that they'll be a major force in Christian music for years to come.

The Fault Is History (Word/Warner)

After initially seeing them at GMA and then hearing about their numerous slots on prominent mainstream tours, it was easy to latch onto Souljahz's cross-section of styles and credibility stemming from their impact on the culture at large. On their debut, The Fault is History, the Washington siblings have no trouble creating first-rate neo-soul in the company of such artists as Macy Gray, Craig David, and Glenn Lewis one moment, followed by the funky fusion of Sly and the Family Stone or George Clinton the next. As if that isn't enough genre-bending, Souljahz continues to mix up their sound with plenty of hip-hop, rap, and flavorful Latin-styled sequencing. The musical mix-up seems to be a hit, since their single "All Around the World" hit #1 on the charts.

Other charming elements for the group include their dueling male and female vocal parts, along with a mix of satirical, serious, and social themes. Though the siblings' ages span from the teenage to the young-adult spectrum, they cover many issues and problems from a Christian perspective with lyrical maturity and a vocal dexterity well beyond their years. Like God's Property or Mary Mary, Souljahz should have no problem finding duel residency on the gospel and mainstream urban charts, and thanks to the radio immediacy of several of the tracks on The Fault Is History, they should have no problem staying there for much of the next year. They're easily one of the best things to happen to Christian R&B/hip-hop in years. The true test for Souljahz's longevity will their willingness to stay on the road, followed by their ability to return to the drawing board a second time and dream up an even more ambitious melting pot with the aid of production whiz Tonex for their sophomore release. That may seem like a tall order considering how impressive this debut is, but considering the talent involved, Souljahz seems more than up to the task.

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