Let’s just go ahead and say it up front: there’s a lot of hype out there. There’s always been a lot of hype, much of which is generated by long-suffering publicists working way too hard for too little money. But every now and then, an artist or a band comes along that simply shatters the hype with its own mind-blowing reality.

Self-professed music geeks who cut their musical teeth in clubs and music halls around the globe, Newworldson is that band. This Canadian funk/soul/blues/jazz/gospel hybrid packs more power in four instruments than most five- or six-man bands can boast. Joel Parisien (vocals, keys), Josh Toal (guitar, vocals), Rich Moore (bass, vocals) and Mark Rogers (drums) have managed what so few bands even imagine, something that’s never been done before in Christian music: fusing the soul roots of Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, and Donnie Hathaway with unapologetic, spirit-filled lyrics, while simultaneously injecting a huge shot of fun.

• Rhema / Artists