VARIOUS – Soul Jazz Records Presents: Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul: A Higher Power: Gospel, Soul and Funk at the Crossroads 1971-83 (Repress) – 2LP – Black Vinyl

2LP – Black Vinyl(2023 Repress)

The album draws upon the extensive links between black American gospel music and soul music, showing how the sensibilities of gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Andra Crouch and others crossed over into secular soul music during this period.

Many of the most successful soul artists from Aretha Franklin to Al Green, The Staple Singers to Sam Cooke all drew upon their upbringing in the church for their musical inspiration. This album discusses how important the links between the black church and soul music were in creating soul music and spotlights some of the many important (and also little-known) gospel artists who walked this line between sacred music and soul, funk and disco in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul shows how sacred gospel music was at home with Stevie Wonder, Blaxploitation-style funk and produced music celebrated both in New Yorks underground discos (The Paradise Garage, Studio 54, etc) and later sampled by the likes of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Mary J Blige.

Tracklist:

1. Andra Crouch & The Disciples – Satisfied (3.07)
2. Shirley Caesar – Jesus Children Of America (4.19)
3. The Meditation Singers – Trouble’s Brewin’ (5.01)
4. The Clark Sisters – You Brought The Sunshine (5.49)
5. Dorothy Norwood – Let Your Feet Down Easy (2.42)
6. Shirley Caesar – Jesus Is Coming (3.50)
7. Swan Silvertones – If You Believe Your God Is Dead (3.11)
8. The Alvin Darling Ensemble – Is There Anybody Here? (3.24)
9. Roscoe Robinson – There’s A Creator (3.10)
10. Destiny – Nothing Can Stop Me Now (2.57)
11. The Meditation Singers – Good Old Gospel Music (4.32)
12. Keith Barrow – Everything Is Gonna Be Alright (3.07)
13. Roscoe Robinson – Elijah (2.33)
14. Dyson’s Faces – Till I’ve Got This Feelin’ Of Love (3.45)
15. The Violinaires – The Upper Way (3.24)
16. Leomia Boyd and The Gospel Music Makers – Higher In Jesus’ Love (2.53)
17. Keith Barrow – The Right Road Now (3.06)