R&B singer Regina Belle makes leap of faith

By Deborah Evans Price

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - When well-known artists record an album in a genre different from the one for which they're known, it can often feel a bit forced. But for R&B singer Regina Belle, a pastor's wife who has long been an outspoken believer, the move seems so obvious that it begs the question, Why didn't she take this leap of faith before?

"God says the time is right," says Belle, whose "Love Forever Shines" comes out May 13. "He's transitioning me to do a work for him. It was opportune."

Belle is known for such R&B hits as "Baby Come to Me," "This Is Love," "Make It Like It Was" and "A Whole New World," a duet with Peabo Bryson from the Disney film "Aladdin." However, gospel music has always been part of the New Jersey native's life. She grew up singing in church and is minister of music at New Shield of Faith Ministries in Atlanta, where her husband of 17 years, John S. Battle III, is senior pastor.

Belle wrote the bulk of the album and tried out some of the new music on her home congregation before recording "Love Forever Shines." One song, "Come Into This Place," is "seven or eight years old," according to Belle, who wrote it during a choir rehearsal. The first single is "God Is Good."

In the future, Belle says she plans to continue to record gospel and mainstream R&B projects, but for now is focused on promoting "Love Forever Shines," visiting churches across the country for nine consecutive Sundays.

Reuters/Billboard