Image Entertainment, Inc is ready to release the DVD Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel and its companion CD release, Higher Ground: Hip-Hop Reformed & Reborn, in association with New Day Multimedia.

Higher Ground shows how each new generation of cutting edge gospel artists has experienced rejection from the church; for example, McClurkin and Hammond tell the story of how Thomas Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson were pushed out of the church and into the mainstream because of their bluesy sound. Edwin Hawkins relives the backlash he endured in the ’60s with “Oh, Happy Day;“ Ronald and Carvin Winans recount their experience with the Winans“ “Question Is” in the ’80s and “It’s Time” in the ’90s; and Karen Clark Sheard and Dorinda Clark-Cole reminisce about the backlash to the Clark Sisters” hit, ”You Brought the Sunshine.“ An entire segment is dedicated to Kirk Franklin’s “Stomp,” with its tremendous impact on all music as well as the “drama” surrounding its enormous success. Finally, Mary Mary’s recent crossover success with “Shackles (Praise Him)” brings us into this millennium.

The DVD will come to light on February 10th and wil retail for $19.95.