Harrison Jones & Voices Of Harmony - "On That Other Shore" (4:01)
Wisdom - "Change" (3:53)
Johnson Family Gospel Singers - "Imitations" (4:17)
Calvin B Rhone - "I Believe" (4:27)
Psalms - "Praise The Lord" (3:56)
Mr Jesse R McGuire - "Jesus On The Mainline" (4:21)
Paradise - "Keep The Fire" (3:45)
Wisdom - "Let The Lord Come In Your Life" (3:22)
Prophecy - "Take It To The Streets" (3:02)
New Creation - "Ain't No Right Way To Do Wrong" (4:32)
Calvin B Rhone - "That's How Much He Loves You" (4:32)
Harrison Jones & Voices Of Harmony - "On That Other Shore" (Divine Situation Way Over Yonder rework) (6:58)
Mr Jesse R McGuire - "Jesus On The Mainline" (Steve Cobby remix) (6:00)
Review: Renowned record collector Greg Belson has dug even deeper on this superb follow-up to his essential 2016 gospel disco anthology, "Divine Disco". In truth, very few will recognize any of the included tracks, many of which originally appeared on private-press releases, but that's entirely the point: Belson has chosen to share some of his secret weapons with us and we're delighted. Amongst the many highlights you'll find the sparkling, synth-heavy '80s gospel soul of Calvin B. Rhone, the soaring and celebratory brilliance of Harrison Jones & The Voices Of Harmony, the low-down gospel disco-funk of the Johnson Family Gospel Singers and the Blaxploitation-era hustle of Paradise's "Keep The Fire". Also impressive is Steve Cobby's wonderfully swinging, floor-friendly tweak of Mr Jesse R McGuire's "Jesus Is On The Mainline".
The Inspirational Souls - "Jesus Is Going Away (But He's Coming Back Again)"
Gospel Ambassadors - "Thank You Jesus"
Gloria Grffin - "You"
The Masters Of Music - "Troubles Don't Last Always"
The Gospelaires Of Dayton Ohio - "No Where To Run"
Shirley Finney - "Give Your Best To The Master"
The Testimonial Singers - "No Greater Love"
Herman Harris & The Voices Of Faith Hope & Love - "Give Yourself To Jesus"
Gospel Ambassadors - "Thank You Jesus" (Steve Cobby remix)
Masters Of Music - "Trouble Don't Last Always" (Rahaan edit)
Review: The "Mighty" Greg Belson has a bit of a soft spot for gospel disco, a sub-genre that proved popular in some of the genre's more righteous clubs. In Divine Disco, he offers up a lesson in the style, gathering together mostly little known gems originally released between 1974 and '84 (plus, it should also be noted, two tasty contemporary re-rubs from Rahaan and Steve Cobby). It's perhaps a little more varied than you'd expect; contrast, for example, the hands-in-the-air, can-I-get-a-witness enthusiasm of Gospel Ambassadors' "What Kind Of Man Is This", and the smooth, slowed-down torch song feel of "Give Yourself To Jesus" by Herman Harris & The Voices Of Faith & Love.
Review: Cultures of Soul have a reputation for digging deep for inspiration, so it's little surprise to see their latest compilation shine a light on the previously unheralded South African synth-disco scene of the early 1980s. Compiled by label boss Deano Sounds and Johannesburg digger DJ Okapi, Boogie Breakdown gathers together 12 hitherto hidden gems from six seminal South African acts. There's naturally much to admire throughout, from the spacey synths and celebratory vocals of Harari's "Party", and the slick, soulful electrofunk of Don Laka's "I Wanna Be Myself", to the reggae and P-funk flavoured thrills of Benjamin Ball's "Flash A Flashlight", and the sensual, late night synth-soul of Al Etto's "Hold On To Love".
Hamilton Brothers - "Music Makes The World Go Round"
Maestro - "Savage"
Patti Charles - "Music Lady"
Wild Fire - "The Dealer"
Defosto - "Socorama"
Tru Tones - "Lets Party"
Keith Paul & The GT Boom Band - "My Life, My Music & Me"
C Soprann H - "Caribean People" (Waxist Selecta edit)
Wild Fire - "Dance With Me"
Wild Fire - "Try Making Love" (Al Kent version)
Derrick Harriott - "Don't Hold Back" (Waxist Selecta edit)
Review: Last year saw Cultures of Soul, American crate diggers extraordinaire, serve up a fine compilation of Caribbean disco, soul, and boogie in the shape of Tropical Disco Hustle. Clearly they were only getting started as a year later we find a second installment from Cultures of Soul which broadens the remit to take in the flavours of St. Lucia and Guadeloupe too. Trinidad & Tobago calypso act Wild Fire feature prominently, providing three tracks of which the Moog laden "Try Making Love" is a compilation highlight. "Music Makes The World Go Round" by The Hamilton Brothers being another, a delicious horn laden, rasping disco bumper that DJs will find a lot of mileage in. A fine compilation.
The Chariettes Gospel Singers - "Nobody But Jesus" (3:01)
Allen Gauff Jr & His Combo - "I Don't Want To Be Alone" (5:10)
The Christian Harmonizers - "Troubles Of The World" (3:00)
Wearyland Singers - "If You See Me Doing Wrong" (4:39)
Gospel Travelers - "Jesus Is Watching You" (3:14)
Pearl Farano & The High Lites Of Joy - "Who's Your Boss" (2:53)
Gospel Ambassadors - "This Little Light Of Mine" (2:56)
Vocal Aires - "Save A Seat" (3:44)
Birmingham Travelers - "Call Me, Answer" (feat Henry Burton) (3:44)
Zella Jackson - "Days Are Just Like People" (2:19)
The Original Christian Harmonizers - "Blackman, Keep Doing Your Thing" (2:49)
Preacherman Isadore Womack - "I've Got Power In My Mind" (3:11)
Review: Having previously delivered two near-perfect compilations of gospel-powered disco (the essential Divine Disco volumes one and two), Greg Belson has now turned his attention to obscure gospel-soul and gospel-funk. As you'd expect, the standard is exceptionally high throughout, with Belson digging deep into his crates to present top-notch gems that will be all but unknown to all but the most hardcore gospel collectors. Highlights come thick and fast from start to finish, with our picks including the fiery, breakbeat-driven funk of the Wearland Singers' 'If You See Me Doing Wrong', the organ-heavy sweetness of Allen Gauff Jr & His Combo's 'I Don't Want To Be Alone' and the Gospel Ambassadors' sensational cover of gospel classic 'This Little Light of Mine'.
Mighty Mo & The Winchester Seven - "The Next Message"
Afrosound - "Jungle Fever"
Fruko Y Sus Tesos - "Bang Bang"
Nostalgia 77 - "Seven Nation Army"
Ray Barretto - "Pastime Paradise"
Mongo Santamaria - "Cloud Nine"
Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra - "I Turn My Camera On"
Ebony Rhythm Band - "Light My Fire"
The Johnny Frigo Sextet - "Scorpio"
Antibalas - "Rat Race"
Review: Sometimes an album title says it all. That's certainly the case with World's Funkiest Covers, an album of formidably sweaty and floor-friendly funk cover versions. While one or two will be familiar to crate diggers (or, in the case of Nostalgia 77's version of "Seven Nation Army", most people), there are plenty of unlikely gems to enjoy. Check, for example, Mighty Mo & The Winchester 7's electrofunk/raw funk jam "The Next Message", a brilliant re-imagining of hip-hop classic "The Message". Also worth a listen is Ray Buretto's excellent version of Stevie's "Passtime Paradise" and the Ebony Rhythm Band's crazy-but-brilliant "Light My Fire". Like the rest of the album, it's a serious freak out.
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