Love God, Love People | Music | Christianity Today

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Israel Houghton
Love God, Love People (Integrity)
Released August 2010
Andrew Greer

Comments (1)

Style: R&B/live gospel; compare to Michael Jackson, Mary Mary, and Fred Hammond

Top tracks: "Yahweh (The Lifter)," "You Hold My World," "Surprises"

Serving up a musical feast of electronic techno-pop, jam band hits, and rhythmically killer background vocals, infiltrated with heavy-hitting guest appearances by Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin, R&B worship artist Israel Houghton is the current administrator of gospel music milk and honey. Incorporating easy melodies into intricate band tracks, Houghton exhibits technical proficiency without forfeiting each song's accessible catchiness—exampled on a hip, dance-leaning remix of modern worship favorite, "Our God." Lyrically, he uses infectious hooks to highlight social justice themes and encourage Christians to exercise true acts of worship by serving the "least of these."

Comments (1)

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[Reader Reviews]

Jayme Hightower

September 02, 2010 1:49pm

Israel has chosen to follow the vein of Power of One with his eclectic sounds and life changing message of love. He doesn't deviate once the message is set - Power of One was all about God, and Love God, Love People is all about love. I appreciate Israel's willingness to push the boundaries of contemporary Christian music. Every track is different from the prior and nothing like the one the follows. Thank you, Israel, for keeping us intrigued to hear what comes next, but even more for lyrics that are unwavering and honest. I encourage people to buy this album and put aside any bias accumulated from hearing previous Israel projects. Be open to the message and sounds of this album independent of all else, and I promise it will speak to you heart.

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