The Confluence of Gospel, Funk, and Soul in Various Artists’ Captivating Album, 2023
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Venturing into the crowded halls of the music industry, the album Soul Jazz Records presents Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul – A Higher Power: Gospel, Funk & Soul at the Crossroads 1971-83 is an engrossing masterpiece by a constellation of artists. The year 2023 saw this remarkable compilation making its mark in the music industry. The album, a collection of moving and riveting tracks, was initially a coloured vinyl made exclusively for Record Store Day 2023. The overwhelming popularity and demand for it made the creators release a double black vinyl edition, accommodating a broader range of music enthusiasts.
Gospel, funk, and soul find an intimate crossroads in this eclectic album. With an identifiable focus on black American gospel music and its deep connection with soul music, Various Artists embed the powerful voices of iconic gospel artists like Shirley Caeser, Dorothy Norwood, Andrae Crouch from the 1971 to 1983 era. This album’s complexity emerges from the intricate overlap of sacred gospel and secular soul music. Truly, a sonic exploration echoing the many shades of Soul Jazz Records, a distinguished London-based record label with a rich legacy spanning a variety of genres, from reggae to hip hop, and jazz to punk rock.
In various ways, the album outlines the profound influence of the black church in the journey of successful soul artists like Aretha Franklin, Al Green, The Staple Singers, and Sam Cooke. Thus, one can trace the essential rhythm and spirit of these artists to their spiritual foundation in church. Further, Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul demonstrates how a religious genre of music like gospel could fit seamlessly into the repertoires of other celebrated artists such as Stevie Wonder. Even the underground disco staples of New York City like The Paradise Garage and Studio 54 found an unexpected auditory ally in gospel music.
The album’s widespread acclaim is reflected in the rave reviews by music critics, appreciating the thorough historical compilation of those gospel tunes that laid the groundwork for various music styles from Philly R&B, disco, to soul over the past half-century. Artists such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J Bilge have even sampled the music from this album, attesting to its reverberating impact in the world of music.
In the grander scope, the album brings to the forefront the indomitable spirit of Soul Jazz Records. Founded in 1991 by Stuart Baker, this record label is known for its history of releasing not just music, but cultural narratives. Their diverse compilations have been lauded by eminent personalities of the music world for their detailed curation and representation, with Chris Blackwell of Island Records dubbing their compilations as the “university of reggae.”
In conclusion, this boundary-blurring album by Various Artists catches the poignant echoes of gospel, funk, and soul from the past decades. While taking music connoisseurs on a historical journey of these genres, it also celebrates the profound influence of gospel music on an array of musical styles, from secular soul, funk, to disco music of the 1970s and early 1980s, and beyond.
Track List :
Andrae Crouch & The Disciples – Satisfied
Shirley Caesar – Jesus Children Of America
The Meditation Singers – Trouble’s Brewin’
The Clark Sisters – You Brought The Sunshine
Dorothy Norwood – Let Your Feet Down Easy
Shirley Caesar – Jesus Is Coming
Swan Silvertones – If You Believe Your God Is Dead
The Alvin Darling Ensemble – Is There Anybody Here ?
Roscoe Robinson – There’s A Creator
Destiny – Nothing Can Stop Me Now
The Meditation Singers – Good Old Gospel Music
Keith Barrow – Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
Roscoe Robinson – Elijah
Dyson’s Faces – Till I’ve Got This Feelin’ Of Love
The Violinaires – The Upper Way
Leomia Boyd and The Gospel Music Makers – Higher in Jesus’ Love
Keith Barrow – The Right Road Now