Compilations in the gospel and CCM industry are some of the most successful sellers in the business.  The WoW Series (including WoW Gospel and WoW Worship) consistently go gold or platinum (selling 500,000 or 1,000,000 units) and feature the best songs from some of the most popular artists.  That’s probably one of the reasons why they’re so popular.  Gotta Have Gospel is no exception.  Gotta Have Gospel Volume 1, released last year, is still on the Billboard charts.  Meanwhile, Volume 2 was just released and provides the gospel music lover with the top songs by the top names.

The 2-disc set is divided into two categories: Then & Now.  Taking us back a bit, the “Then” CD includes BeBe & CeCe Winans’ mega-hit, the inspirational Lost Without You along with the remix version of the head-bobbing Brighter Day from gospel’s hitmaker Kirk Franklin.  Listeners will also enjoy The McClurkins’ song Every Beat Of My Heart (with Donnie McClurkin on lead vocals) and saxophonist Kirk Whalum’s surprise crossover tune, Falling In Love With Jesus.  Mainstream singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler is featured on lead vocals on the spirited track.  Jonathan Nelson’s powerful song Majesty, recorded by T.D. Jakes & The Potter’s House Mass Choir, makes the cut as does Kirk Franklin & neo-soul artist Jill Scott’s duet of the title tune of the movie, Kingdom Come.  Gospel mainstay John P. Kee & The New Life Choir’s classic Show Up still sounds good.  Prophetess Juanita Bynum sings on a breathtakingly beautiful a cappella version of I Worship You Almighty God.  Two more well-known choirs are included on Gotta Have Gospel. Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship sing the familiar cut Power Belongs To God and Joe Pace & The Colorado Mass Choir give us the contemporary gospel track Hold On from their latest project Speak Life.  Quartet music isn’t left out either with the inclusion of the famed group Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs.  They provide us with the hand-clapping, horn-driven Good Time. 

The “Now” CD contains some favorites as well.  Well-known producer, songwriter and artist Kurt Carr makes an appearance on this portion on the compilation CD with his song Let Our God Arise from his upcoming project One Church.  His song, The Presence of the Lord, sung by praise and worship artist Byron Cage is featured too.  Cage and another well-known praise and worship leader, Israel Houghton of Israel & New Breed, join forces on the newly-recorded, high energy praise tune Give Thanks.  Israel makes a solo appearance with his praise song, Again I Say Rejoice.  Reflecting the rising popularity of praise and worship music, other new artists from the genre chime in.  Martha Munizzi sings her heart out on her song Because Of Who You Are, made popular by Vicki Yohe, and Stephen Hurd contributes Lead Me To The Rock from his Integrity Gospel debut.  Urban gospel is here, too, with such cuts as Wake Up from Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Kirk Franklin and Tye Tribbett & G.A.’s funky Mighty Long Way.  GospoCentric/Jive recording artist and super producer J Moss gives us Psalm 150 and Moss’ cousin, Dorinda Clark-Cole hits us hard with her riveting performance (with GMWA) on Gotta Make It In.  RiZen takes us to church with the traditional feel of It Will Come To Pass while American Idol winner Ruben Studdard and gospel superstar Fred Hammond share the mic on their song We Have Not Forgotten.

Also, a Bonus DVD is available with performances from Moss, Franklin, Munizzi and Israel & New Breed.  This is certainly one to pick up.