Infused and incandescent with the hurting, surging indignation of the Civil Rights movement, here are twenty-four precious scorchers by giants like the Staple Singers and Jimmy Scott, alongside devastating sides by less celebrated names like the Harmonising Five of Burlington, North Carolina, and teen-group the North Philadelphia Juniors, culminating triumphantly with slamming, sanctified versions of Hit The Road Jack and Wade In The Water. Drawn from nigh-impossible-to-find 78s, sevens and LPs, hardly any of these recordings have been reissued since their first release.
Presented in a gatefold sleeve, with full-size booklet; beautifully designed, with stunning, rare photographs and original Savoy artwork. Sound restoration and mastering at Abbey Road; pressed at Pallas.
Co-curated by Greg Belson, compiler of Divine Disco; with deep, extensive notes by Robert Marovich, author of A City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music (University of Illinois), and host of the award-winning radio show Gospel Memories.
Famous Ward Singers - I’m Getting Richer
The Harmonizing Five - I Don’t Need Nobody But The Lord
The Sensational Six - Let Freedom Ring
The Gospel Harmonettes Specials - How Much More
The Christones - Lord, It’s Me
The Staple Singers - Low Is The Way
Swindell Brothers - Trouble Of Mine
The Roberta Martin Singers - I’m Glad I’m A Witness For My Lord
Jimmy Scott - Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Shirley Caesar And The Caravans - He First Loved Me
The Blind Boys Of Alabama - On Some Day
The Hightower Brothers - He That Believed
North Philadelphia Juniors - There’s Something Within Me
The Selah Singers - The Wicked Race
The Ward Singers - Let The Train Roll Easy
The Stars Of Faith - Mean Old World
Marion Williams - Get Your Business Right
The Gospel Cavaliers - Are You Listening
The Caravans - Mercy
Eddie Williams And The Crusaders - They Won’t Believe In Me
The Davis Sisters - Earnestly Praying
The Gospel Chimes - My Jesus Love Just Bubbles Over
The Angelic Gospel Choir - It’s The Holy Ghost
The Angelic Choir - Wade In The Water