12-TRACK PROJECT FEATURES MADISON RYANN WARD,
ZACARDI CORTEZ, AND MELVIN CRISPELL III
One of Gospel music’s most incomparable voices, Jason Nelson, has amassed over 250 million streams during his two-decade career and he’s about to draw a lot more. His first album in three years, You Belong: Live in Durham (Jaelyn Song Music / Tyscot / Fair Trade), has released on all digital music platforms. The twelve-track set features brilliant guest appearances from Madison Ryann Ward who shot to fame off a viral cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” years ago, gospel wailer Zacardi Cortez, and GRAMMY Award nominated singer, Melvin Crispell III.
The “You Belong: Live in Durham” project was recorded live at World Overcomers Christian Church in Durham, NC last August. “The album is called You Belong because that particular song captures the essence of the entire recording,” Nelson says. “It is a song about not just having a place with God but understanding that nothing in your life is too much or too far for God to save and revive us. And after you’ve been revived, we should know that we have a home in God.”
The initial radio single “Yahweh” is Nelson’s dramatic pairing with the 26-year-old Crispell. The worship ballad has already surpassed a million streams in a matter of weeks. It debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard and Mediabase Gospel Airplay charts for the week ending May 18th. Another notable selection is, “Made New,” an inspiring Quiet Storm duet with Ward.
“Made New” has all the elements of a song that will have a big presence on Christian and R&B stations,” Howard Dukes wrote on SoulTracks.com. “There is the message of how the old can be transformed to new through the power of Christ. That message will inspire those looking to achieve a breakthrough in their lives by helping them understand that they don’t have to be bound by the past.Made New’ is a song that leans heavily on its R&B production values. The song possesses a midtempo pacing augmented by a smooth bass, acoustic guitar flourishes and organs. Nelson and Ward mesh well vocally.”
Over the last two decades, Nelson’s smooth tenor has distinguished itself on gospel radio hits such as “Nothing Without You,” “Residue,” and “Forever.” Four of them have hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Nelson has also recorded with R&B singer Chrisette Michele, Jazz bassist John Patitucci, gospel legends John P. Kee and Donald Lawrence, Maverick City Music’s Naomi Raines, as well as, his twin brother, Jonathan Nelson.
