April 2001

Solo is an abridged version of what to expect from the future releases from the individual members of dc talk. By now the talk of the band breaking up is old news and the fact of the matter is that they just have so much individual talent that its bursting into solo projects. So this year dc talk fans can get a triple dose of what makes up the group. Featured on Solo is two tracks from each member and one track (40 Live) with all the band members together.

Solo is a great way to gear up for the upcoming releases from Tait, Kmax, and Toby Mac.

The first solo project will be Michael Tait's "Empty", set to be released July 3rd. Tait will be joined by Grammatrains lead singer, this time playing guitar, Pete Stewart, Lonnie Chapin on Bass, and Chad Chapin on Drums. . "Unglued" reflects on the pains that Michael Tait has been through, including losing his father, brother, and sister in one year's time. Other songs touch on his enduring faith and love for God. The title track speaks about how empty we would be even if we gained the whole world and still lost our soul.

Kmax will release his project around August 28th. His desire is to make a solo project that will reflect the image of being real, and at the same time being a living testimony as a Christian facing everyday stresses. Kmax's solo project will be a combination of world music and progressive rock and pop.

Toby Mac is going back to his hip hop roots with "Momentum" to be released in October. "Extreme Days" has already been released on the Extreme Days movie soundtrack fits the description that's been given of his solo project, a combination of Beck, Arrested Development meets the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

- Ken W.

The Living Room Sessions
Chris Rice
Rocketown Records

The Living Room Sessions is first in a series of instrumental projects for Chris Rice. This project consists of twelve hymns that Rice arranged and then performed in the comfort of his own home. Recording equipment was set up in Rice's living room and when he was feeling creative Rice would sit down, press record, and play away. These personal sessions show a new side of Rice and his gifts.

This really seems like such a simple idea, but its more than that. Rice hand selected these twelve hymns that brought back memories of his youth. He recorded these hymns in his own environment when he felt most compelled to do so. "I left a few notes in that don't quite belong," says Rice. "You may even hear the piano bench creak every now and then; but I decided to leave the humanness in, like I found it in my church growing up."

The Living Room Sessions is the perfect CD for those times of devotions and meditations.

-Ken

SONICPRAISe
SONICFLOOd
Gotee Records

SONICFLOOd's self-titled debut was recently certified Gold by the RIAA, and since its release in 1999 it has remained near the top of the top ten overall Christian Soundscan chart.

The energy and spirit of SONICFLOOd is captured in this 70-minute CD, recorded between the Nashville Ryman Auditorium and the Flevo Festival in Europe. SONICPRAISe includes hits from their debut, "Holy One", "I Want To Know You", and "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," and newly recorded live sensations "Agnus Dei" and "The Mountain Will Tremble."

No live recording is ever as good as the real thing, but SONICPRAISe comes close to the experience. Including a nine and half minutes of spontaneous testimony and praise combined in "Agnus Dei."

Overall SONICPRAISe is fun, stirring, and stimulating and SONICFLOOd will surely continue to play a big part in the Modern Praise and Worship movement.

-Ken