What they are saying about Felton Offard's new release RISE...   "This CD is FIRE."     -   Joi Mitchell, R.U.N.? Entertainment, Inc. "Your boy is ridiculous..."     -   Gary Taylor, Singer/Songwriter "Felton is the bomb of bombs. I have been listening to this CD for the past three days. This is a great CD."           - Rhoda Lawrence, VP Marketing, UMVD "After I played I'm Yours, everyone rushed over to find out who it was. They loved the song. Great steppers song."    -    DJ Denn, NightLife Record Pool Felton Offard is an incredibly gifted musician, and Rise is a wonderful project, one birthed in the tradition of music that speaks to and feeds the soul. In the title track, the symphonic resonance is simply heavenly, and the accompanying soul-stirring lyrics gracefully laced with the unforgettable unmistakable handiwork of a well-seasoned guitarist. His is a fresh uplifting sound that blends jazz, gospel, R&B, soul and even classical musical styles. This album is four cups musical sensation and four cups inspiration simply baked to perfection. It will move you and make you want to move.    - J Wesley Fountain, Medill Shool of Journalism, Northwestern University This is a brilliant CD. It is sequenced perfectly and gives you a chance to enjoy yourself on a musical level and a spiritual level as it moves from smooth jazz to songs of worship. This CD is a blessing to all who listen to it. I love this CD especially the track Won't Stop Worshipping."  -  Michael McAlister, WBGX-AM  Rise does a phenomenal job of nailing the gospel and Christian segment as well as the smooth jazz segment. This CD stands on its own with no apologies. A lot of CDs leave you wanting more – like you are just having an appetizer. This CD is like a full course meal – you leave knowing you have just been fed. -   Mark Knight, Manager, AccuGroove This is Anointed Smooth Gospel Jazz at its best. Take some clean guitar playing, add some great lyrics, and then mix it with heartfelt vocals place them on a CD and you'll have my favorite disc. This CD is awesome. Once I heard Won't Stop Worshipping, I knew I would Rise and buy this disc. - John L Terry   This CD has been sold in the United States, Japan, Spain and Switzerland. It is everything that is stated above - and much more. From the smooth jazz trappings of the instrumentals to the "steppers" feel of I'm Yours and Playtime, this CD is definitely a winner. Felton has taken a chance by doing something very different for gospel music and he definitely succeeds. From the bouncy feel of Persuaded which has an uplifting chorus (I am persuaded, I'm gonna make it, I'm dedicated, I will not stop or turn around... Nothing and no one shall be able to separate us from the love of God) to the remake of the Hawkins classic, What Is This, we know this CD is something special. Then we get Felton himself delivering the word on Won't Stop Worshipping. The praise and worship feel of Rise and More Like Like Jesus truly set the vocal portion of the off. This is definitely an anointed project.  Take it from the Music Experience and believe.