Continuing Harmless's policy of exploring all areas of Black Music we now turn our attention to the much under-explored area of U.S. independent Funky Soul and Gospel music which is currently one of most exciting areas of record collecting.
One of the greatest labels for funky Gospel releases was undoubtedly Jewel Records from Shreveport, Louisiana founded by Stan The Record Man Lewis in 1963 from his original tiny record store, Stan s Record Shop. From such humble beginnings sprang a recording empire which also included the Paula, Ronn and Soul Power labels.
Jump forward some 50 years to 2012 and suddenly the Jewel Gospel catalogue is being fiercely mined by collectors across the planet due to the sheer amount of quality funky Gospel records which are still being found. We invited serious DJ s, Record Collectors and all round funky Gospel addicts, the UK based David Hill and US based Greg Belson, to compile 2 CDs of some the best funky Gospel and Spiritual Soul from the Jewel archives. Added to this combination we also have collector and historian Chris Menist on sleeve notes duty for the 16 page booklet which also includes a variety of label and album scans.
Also, as a timely inclusion, we re also delighted to include one of the rare records which made it into John Peel s legendary 7" record box the sensational "No More Ghettos In America" by Stanley Winston proof positive that Jewel's funky Gospel sound found supporters right across the spectrum!
Holy Spirit - Spiritual Soul and Gospel Funk HURTXCD119
CD1
1. The Meditation Singers Trouble's Brewin'
2. BPS Revolution Brotherly Love
3. Soul Stirrers I'm Trying To Be Your Friend
4. Ernest Franklin Trying Times
5. The Hopson Family Prayer Will Take You There
6. Chimes Woke Up This Morning
7. Albertina Walker Mama Said, Thank You
8. The Brooklyn All Stars If Loving God Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)
9. Keith Barrow Everything's Gonna Be Alright
10. Dorothy Norwood He's A Friend
11. The Brooklyn All Stars I'm So Glad You're Mine
12. Leomia Boyd and the Gospel Music Makers 'Need More
13. The Southerners Jesus Is Real To Me
14. The Traveling Echoes The Golden Gate
15. The Violinaires The Upper Way
16. Roscoe Robinson Do It Right Now
17. Clarence Fountain This Little Light of
18. Soul Stirrers Crying On The Mountain
19. Armstrong Brothers Far Away From God
20. The Meditation Singers A Change Is Gonna Come
CD 2
1. Armstrong Brothers Can You Treat Him Like A Brother
2. Bill Moss & the Celestials You've Got To Serve Somebody
3. The Southerners I'll Wait For the Lord
4. The Meditation Singers Good Old Gospel Music
5. Roscoe Robinson There's a Creator
6. Mighty Sons of Glory Don't Forget the Bridge (That Brought You Over)
7. Dorothy Norwood There's Got to Be Rain In Your Life
8. Soul Stirrers Lord, Oh Lord, I Believe
9. The Meditation Singers I Love My Jesus
10. The Silver Gate Quartet of North Carolina Watch That Rogue
11. The Fantastic Violinaires I'm Not Worried
12. The Hopson Family Hello Sunshine
13. Dorothy Norwood Come and Go With Me
14. The Traveling Echoes I'd Like To Know
15. The Spiritual Interns He Walks With Me
16. The Brooklyn All Stars In The Ghetto
17. The Violinaires Message To My Friends
18. Dorothy Norwood Winding Up
19. Rev. Oris Mays Nobody Can Turn Me Around
20. The Travelling Echoes God Don't Change
21. Stanley Winston No More Ghettos in America
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