Description
#souljazzrecords #vinyl #vinylrecords
Soul Jazz Records Presents: Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul – A Higher Power: Gospel, Funk & Soul at the Crossroads 1971-83 is an album that delves into the profound connection between black American gospel music and soul music. It brilliantly showcases how the impassioned sounds of gospel artists like Dorothy Norwood, Shirley Caeser, and Andrae Crouch transcended the boundaries and merged seamlessly with secular soul music during this golden era.
Soul music icons such as Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and The Staple Singers deeply drew inspiration from their upbringing in the church. This record explores the integral role that the black church played in shaping soul music and pays tribute to the often-overlooked gospel artists who effortlessly straddled the line between sacred music and the soulful realms of funk and disco during the vibrant 1970s and early 1980s.
The significance of sacred gospel music is palpable in the likes of Stevie Wonder, Blaxploitation-style funk, and the revolutionary sounds that echoed in New York’s underground discos like The Paradise Garage and Studio 54. Later, these captivating tunes were sampled by legendary artists such as Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Mary J Bilge. Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul encapsulates a powerful musical journey that showcases the enduring influence of gospel on the evolution of soul, funk, and disco, while fortifying the legacies of intertwining artists.
