Life is filled with different seasons, varied phases. Joann Rosario has experienced many of them. She’s been through the valley – a period when she lost total use of her vocal chords –to today’s mountaintop. In the last two years, a wonderful spiritual transformation has taken place in her life. It’s this premise that’s the basis of her new Verity Records/fHammond Music/Zomba Gospel release, Joyous Salvation. For gospel’s Latin diva, this project represents a life-change, an awakening to newness and fresh excitement for what’s to come. Throughout the new CD, listeners will not only witness a brand new spiritual side of Rosario, but a bold, contemporary new musical side of this amazingly versatile gospel artist.

Rosario has truly come full circle with the new CD. She says, “The last album was so difficult for me. I was coming off of a vocal injury where I couldn’t talk, couldn’t sing. While I was recording, every line, every chorus, every verse was a struggle. But now, with my voice restored, it’s like my life has been flipped totally upside down. During the time when I wasn’t able to sing or speak, God was really challenging me about very specific areas of my life. Since the last album, I have tried with all my heart to honestly do exactly what it is that He wants me to do.” And because of it, she’s experiencing a brand new day.

Like a butterfly from a cocoon, she pulls inspiration from the experience for “Restore To Me,” the CD’s opener and one of the album’s freshest tracks. “The song came to me while I was sitting in church one Sunday morning,” recalls Joann. “My dad, Apostle Nahum Rosario, was reading Psalm 51:12 which says, ‘Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation’. And I literally heard the chorus, right then. I ran to my dad’s office and called my cell phone and sung myself a message”. With a bold orchestral opening flowing into a jovial anthem of revival, the song sports aromas of pop and urban contemporary sounds. It gives off positive, energetic vibes and begs God for a jolt of spiritual revitalization. The song was co-written by Aaron Lindsey, award-winning producer known for his work with Israel & New Breed.

Although the songstress finds it hard to choose a favorite from the new musical collection, a collection in which she wrote nine out of the album’s 10 tracks, “Beautiful Son,” is by far the song closest to her heart. She wrote the song two years ago but let no one hear it until she started recording the new record. “I didn’t sing it to anybody because I didn’t have the confidence to let anyone hear it. I had to work up the nerve to give it to the producer,” says Joann of “Beautiful Son.” That producer happened to be Chris Rodriguez, a well-known hitmaker in both secular and sacred music circles.

He loved the song. One listen and others will understand why. Joann’s pretty soprano takes center stage on this astonishingly well-penned love song that center’s on the splendor of Jesus Christ.

Each song on Joyous Salvation could easily be a hit single. You Are Holy, a piano and string-accented composition, is a memorable jewel. It’s also extra special to Joann because Lindsey had written it specifically for her during a time when she couldn’t sing it. Although others were interested in recording it, he kept the song for her and prayed that one day she would be able to sing it. Maybe that’s why she sings the tune with such a transparency and richness. It’s as if the listener is peeking into Joann’s intimate time of worship with God. In a style reminiscent of Richard Smallwood, the beautiful orchestral number builds to a dramatic, gut-wrenching peak.

Traces, an urban groove accented by marked drum work written by Fred Jerkins, Lashawn Daniels and Rosario, is about seeing God in everything. Anyone who’s been down and then lifted by the beauty of a God-given sunset will find this track relatable. More Than Anything is a gorgeous, melodious song. It’s a mellow tune with strong strains of R&B stylings sung to the lover of the soul.

Holy God, a stunning praise and worship track, is a relaxed one accented by strumming of a sweet acoustic guitar. Speaking about one of God’s most honorable characteristics, the song flaunts a Spanish flavor. Glory To You, an up-tempo, upbeat track with a catchy hook, focuses on making certain all glory goes to God. There Is A City is a light and bouncy celebratory cut about the Christian’s ultimate home while Come On Everybody (Vamos Todos Juntos), another festive track, rejoices in Joann’s Latin heritage with an invitation of praise.

Beyond is targeted to the complacent Christian, urging the listener to get out of the rut and stretch out by doing things differently. Once that step of faith is made, one is sure to find an exhilarating new experience in God. “It’s a very special song to me,” says Joann. “If people will get to the point with God where they can honestly say ‘I’m moving beyond my past, beyond my issues, beyond my selfishness, beyond the excuses I make why I can’t serve you,’ then God can really began to move in their lives”.

Joyous Salvation is the first project for Rosario since her 2005 release, Now More Than Ever….Worship, which peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Top Gospel chart and - with reflective worship cuts - picked up where her Verity Records/FHammond debut and mega-hit More, More, More left off. The Chicago native and former singer with Fred Hammond’s Radical For Christ is the daughter of Apostle Nahum Rosario, the founder of Maranatha World Revival Ministries, an organization with over 300 churches under its jurisdiction. Joann serves as National Music Director for Maranatha, and as worship leader at her home church in Chicago.

For Joann Rosario, Joyous Salvation is much more than just the title to her new project. It’s a declaration of independence from a life lived far below the joyous one God has promised. “It’s about living a righteous life. It’s about living in obedience and sacrifice; it’s about giving and loving people and truly being free from sin,” says Joann. “Together, this is what I call ‘Joyous Salvation’. Living that type of life is a life without worry. And even if something does go wrong, it’s okay because you know that God is first in your life and you’re seeking Him. You just wait for Him to show up. Just wait on your miracle. That’s ‘Joyous Salvation’”.