Hillsong Ultimate Worship Volume II  (Integrity Music/Provident-Integrity) is a 17-song collection of previously released live worship tunes from Hillsong Church, Hillsong United and Hillsong London. The album hits stores Dec. 30, and features such favorites as “Mighty to Save” and “Let Creation Sing.”    

Leading the 2009 Stellar Awards, which honors the top gospel artists and performances of the year, is Marvin Sapp with nine nominations. His nods include Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year. Dorinda Clark-Cole and Kirk Franklin each received five nominations, followed by CeCe Winans, Ricky Dillard, Israel & New Breed and Canton Jones, each with four nominations. The Stellar Awards will be held Jan. 17 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The Gospel Music Channel will air the Stellar Awards nationally March 1, with a number of local stations airing the show earlier. For local listings and a run-down of all of this year’s nominees, visit www.thestellarawards.com.    

After a dozen years as a band, Switchfoot now has a greatest hits collection. The Best Yet (Credential Recordings/EMI CMG), which released Nov. 4, features 18 songs culled from the San Diego band’s six albums. A deluxe edition, which includes 14 music videos—three of which were previously unreleased—is also available.

Becoming the Archetype released its third album, Dichotomy (Solid State Records/EMI CMG), Nov. 25. The Atlanta-based band is known for its hard-driving metal. The album features several guest appearances, including one by Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter, a fellow Christian metal band.    

Since 2005, Paul Colman has been a guitarist for Newsboys, but he’s best known for his solo work and for fronting the Paul Colman Trio. A new album celebrating his career, History (Inpop Records/EMI CMG), releases Jan. 27.

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