Marvin Winans Jr., best-known as a member of Winans Phase 2 in the late 1990s, has just released his first solo CD “Image of a Man” on his own M2 Entertainment label.

The Pop/R&B-flavored CD just debuted at #10 on the Billboard Gospel Album Sales Chart. Although he’s happy for its success he’s not celebrating yet.

“Our goal is, and always has been Top 10 Pop/Mainstream charts,” he explains. We won’t stop until we get there. There are millions and millions of people who have not heard the music and we want to introduce everyone to it! We get encouraged when we hear stories about kids who know every single word of the first single, `You Never Let Me Down.’ The responses to it are so emotionally diverse! Some hear the song and become totally elated dancing with huge smiles and others literally, well-up and cry. I’m excited and really encouraged…that’s why we have to keep pushing! This is just the beginning, no time to celebrate yet. I want the world to hear the song, and then…just maybe, it will be time to celebrate!”

The music video for “You Never Let Me Down” will premiere on a major music network in the next few weeks and the industry is buzzing about the song.

“Very cool tune and everyone I’ve let hear it thinks its a hit,” says Kenny Fowler, the music director at Power 98 FM in Spanish Port, AL.

The project was carefully-crafted to appeal to fans of Chris Brown, the Jonas Brothers and Alicia Keys. “Image of a Man” is really just an in depth look at what a man is and what a man is supposed to be.

Winans said, “I think people are searching for who they are and what their purpose is in this life.”

Instead of preaching to the choir, Winans is positioning this slick pop project towards a non-churched audience. The son of Gospel stars Marvin Winans Sr. and Vickie Winans, Winans got his start with the group Phase 2. Their first CD We Got Next debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Charts in 1999 and sold over 300,000 units.

He founded M2 Entertainment in 2000 and has produced a number of artists, including his famous mom. Aside from his own production skills, the fourteen-song “Image of a Man” CD features production by Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Beyonce), Noel “Detail” Fisher (Akon, Ray J) and rising star producer David Garcia.

Jerkins produced the Caribbean-styled radio single “You Never Let Me Down.” Perfect for summer drives down the expressway with the rooftop down, Winans and Jerkins have crafted a feel good anthem.

Visit www.marvinjr.com or www.thisisMWj.com for more information.