Music World Gospel recording artist Le’Andria Johnson will release her debut album, “The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson,” on Sept. 6, 2011.
The CD is produced by GRAMMY Award winner Chuck Harmony (Rihanna, Fantasia, Chrisette Michele). The songs on the CD showcase Le’Andria’s unique combination of power, skill and reverence, which made her a favorite of Sunday Best fans.
Her new single, “Jesus,” co-written by Le’Andria, is an urban contemporary song, with traditional gospel roots. In it, Le’Andria offers a soulful and stirring testimony about the difference Jesus has made in her life, and she makes an impassioned plea to the listener to turn to Jesus and “call Him like you want Him, call Him like you need him.”
“The awe-inspiring qualities of Johnson’s voice that helped her snag the Sunday Best crown are evident on this debut effort,” said Mona Austin of EURWEB.com. “Listening to ‘Jesus’ is like jumping in the river of Jordan, from a music critic’s perspective. Leandria Johnson’s voice has revived hope for this generation of singers. So wait for The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson. If the finished product is remotely as polished as the prelude, then wait with pleasure, like you’re outside a birthing room waiting to hear if it’s a girl or boy, except in this case you’ll be waiting as a star is born.”
“Her [Le’Andria] talent will blow you away” said Pat McKay, program director of SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio Praise Channel. “I don’t doubt that Le’Andria owns her place in the present and the future of gospel. She defines it. Her wholesome, elegant, soaring, soulful voice finds then fills a beautiful and strong spot for anyone with ears.”
Other songs on the CD include “Cast the First Stone,” a mid-tempo song with a memorable, contemporary tune and a powerfully delivered message about how wrong it is to pass judgment on each other, also co-written by Le’Andria; “Make Him Like You,” an R&B-style petition to God to lead her toward the true love that He designed for her; “New Reason,” a new millennium twist on 1960s soul, with a message about turning from bad relationships to a new and better relationship with God; and “Struggle Not,” co-written by Le’Andria and her brother, Terrance Johnson, a spiritually uplifting and compellingly worship song about God’s blessings in our lives.
The CD also includes two tracks with medleys of songs performed by Le’Andria on Sunday Best. The first medley combines her roof-raising rendition of Quincy Jones’ and Andraé Crouch’s “God Is Trying to Tell You Something,” from the Broadway musical, “The Color Purple,” and her fresh take on Fred Hammond’s (Commissioned) hit song, “Running Back to You.”
In the second medley, Le’Andria puts her spin on Myron Butler and Levi’s pop-style hit, “Set Me Free,” and offers a heartfelt rendition of “I Shall Leap into My Destiny,” written by Le’Andria and Terrance Johnson. Le’Andria performed this inspirational song after being crowned the winner of Sunday Best.
Recently named among the 15 Top Gospel Artists to watch on ESSENCE.com, Le’Andria has been on tour promoting her new CD across the country with church and concert appearances, as well as radio and press visits.
