Various Artists - Christians Catch Hell (Gospel Roots 1976-79) (2015)

A&R was co-ordinated by Gospel legends Ira Tucker — from the Dixie Hummingbirds — and Ralph Bass, veteran producer with Savoy, King and Chess. The label was run by Timmy Thomas, who had recently smashed with Why Can’t We Live Together, for another TK spin-off, Glades. Operations were overseen by Henry Stone himself, unlikely King of Disco, who had recorded a young Ray Charles, and pushed forward James Brown. They drew in artists from all over the US, from St. Louis, Columbus, Memphis, Brooklyn, Cabrini Green in Chicago: unknowns like Camille Doughty, reluctant to jeopardise her job at GM (‘Generous Motors’) in Detroit, and huge-sellers like the revered Brooklyn All Stars, who started out on Peacock in 1958. Choral belters, deep ballads, harmony quartets, epic city-blues, gritty funk, powerhouse female soul… Killer-diller Philly like a scorching version of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ Wake Up Everybody; and Jean Austin’s raw Spirit Free, co-written by Ronnie Dyson, produced by Jesse James at Future Gold. Chicago Sound like The Fantastic Family Aires — named after the family’s furniture store on North Cicero, but reminiscent of the Staple Singers at their best — through to the full-blown glory of The Fountain Of Life Joy Choir, led by Marvin Yancy from The Independents, and featuring Natalie Cole… Singers like Versie Mae Gibson, from the Jordans, by rights up there with Irma, Etta and Ree… Bangers 100%-guaranteed to find their way into Theo Parrish sets; and mortal delirium for the prissiest of soul and gospel purists. Beautifully presented… the LPs with a 12”-square, full-colour, sixteen-page album of photos and original artwork, the CD with a forty-page booklet — and truly outstanding notes, including insightful new interviews across the board; mastered at Abbey Road.

Tracklist:

01. Pastor T. L. Barrett – After The Rain
02. Camille Doughty – Elijah Rock
03. The Howard Lemon Singers – For The Children
04. The Fantastic Family Aires – Tell Me
05. Jean Austin & Company – Spirit Free
06. The Jordan Singers – Will You Save Me
07. The Phillipians – Never Say What You Want
08. The Fabulous Luckett Brothers – Help Me To Carry On
09. Bright Clouds – I’ve Got To Make A Change
10. The Fantastic Family Aires – Troubled Mind
11. The O’Neal Twins – Wake Up Everybody
12. Rev. T.L. Barrett – Said It Long Time Ago
13. The Fantastic Family Aires – The Color Of God
14. The Brooklyn All Stars – Blessed Be The Name Of God
15. The Original Sunset Travelers – On Jesus’ Program
16. Reverend Edna Isaac and the Greene Sisters – Christians Catch Hell
17. The Fountain Of Life Joy Choir – Thank You
18. The Fantastic Family Aires – Glory