This week’s premieres feature the fourth solo project from a member of dc Talk and the debut release from a Canadian band now based in Oklahoma.

Kevin Max’s latest recording, The Blood, is a very personal project that allowed him to step back from his usual rock stylings in favour of a musical exploration of Gospel. This deliberate departure features high profile collaborations with an extraordinary cast, including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, American Idol finalist Chris Sligh, Joanne Cash, Ashley Cleveland, Erica Campbell from Mary Mary and others, including the long-anticipated reunion of dc Talk (featuring Max, Michael Tait and TobyMac).

“The Blood is not a classic hymns cover project or a white/homogenized version of black Gospel or soul music. It’s a sensitive and stylized adaptation of the music that was at the root of rock and roll, blues and popular culture.” Says Max, “The Blood is about the story of redemption and grace, found only in the salvation story of Jesus Christ. There is an extreme sense of respect and sensitivity to the art as we approach the choosing and arrangement of these songs.”

Max has come full circle and has realized how much Gospel music has influenced his decisions in music. This is his homage to the music that helped define him musically.

At The Door is a group of people from different backgrounds who are united to worship the one and only, true living God. Based out of Revelation 3:20, the band’s name is the message that God is pursuing each one of us and is always ready to meet with us. At The Door’s passion is to facilitate a place for people to meet with the Holy God, Creator of all.

Each of the songs that At the Door plays is first and foremost from God, and for God. They also serve as one type of platform from which people can launch praises to their most high King. The songs only begin to tell of His wonder, His greatness, His grace, His sovereignty and His great love over all the earth.

The Blood is currently available at your local Canadian Christian retailer while Wake Up The Nation will be available starting next Tuesday, January 22nd. Keep track of all the new and upcoming releases via your own personal copy of the January New Music Tuesday poster. Head over to HearItFirst.ca to hear more from these great releases.