Album Notes

Anointed is this most accurate way to describe Mark Allen Felton's (aka Panther) gospel debut CD, Gospel Stroll. Felton drew from a wealth of influences when creating this masterpiece. From smooth jazz to gospel, and r&b, Felton has crafted a CD that explores an endless range of promise and potential...lyrically, musically and personally.

As a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, his work is at once accomplished and, yes, anointed. Deeply rooted, yet original. Here's an artist who attacks the boundaries of Gospel Jazz with his own timeless fusion, as undeniable as it is unconventional.

Felton's debut gospel CD, Gospel Stroll has attracted much attention from the secular as well as the gospel world garnering two 2003 Stellar Award nominations for Best New Artist Of The Year and Urban/Inspirational CD Of The Year. The Southern California Gospel Announcers Guild at their 1st Annual Gospel Industry Awards also awarded Mark Allen Felton Instrumentalist Of The Year.

The emergence of the CD Gospel Stroll takes gospel jazz to new heights. It includes the hit single "Praise" featuring the preachers preacher Bishop Noel Jones (who pastors the City of Refuge Church in Gardena,CA) and "Jesus Loves Me" with world reknowned Billy Preston (who penned the multi-platinum "You Are So Beautiful," and "With You I'm Born Again").

"Gospel Stroll", the title song of the CD of the same name hit #7 on the DMX Gospel Charts (DMX has 80 Million Daily Listeners, is now in 10 Million Homes, 180,000 Businesses and 30 Airlines Worldwide).

An admirer of Mr. Felton's music once said, " I can't help but to think about the late Grover Washington Jr. when I hear Mark Allen Felton play, like Grover, he has a smooth spiritually annointed approach to playing his instrument unlike any other saxophonists I've ever heard".

Since the release of Gospel Stroll, Mark Allen Felton has appeared at many hi-profile events. He has toured around the country opening for Bishop Noel Jones. He's shared the stage with other contemporary gospel artists such as Mary, Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Jeff Majors, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child and gospels legends Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Helen Baylor, Karen Clarke-Sheard, and Kim Burrell.

With great humbleness Mr. Felton points out, "with the grace of God, everything is possible", he says when speaking about the phenomenal success of his CD "Gospel Stroll" released on his own independent label, Miōn Records. "God gives us all the tools we need to succeed, we just have to use them", he continues. "Gospel Stroll continues to be a blessing to me and I pray that it is a blessing to you".

Mark Allen Felton's talents are not just limited to music. He is a multitalented, multifaceted man who is determined to share his God given abilities in every forum God makes available to him. Look for the release of his affirmation book and meditational CD "It's In The Words You Speak" with foreword by Rev. Della Reese-Lett next year.

This is just the beginning of many more great things to come. Mark Allen Felton's highly anticipated CD/DVD "A Blessing" is scheduled for release this coming March 2005.