Karl Allison reports on the various artists album featuring THE ESCOFFEREYS, DAWN THOMAS, THE WADES, DIVINE, PAUL LEE and others.



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Now that would be nice. Tracey enthuses, "There's so much happening on the gospel scene in Britain right now. This could help us to be a part of what other bands like Nu Colours are doing. We want to get out there and spread the word."

PAUL LEE
This suit and tie comes up to me and says, "Hello, I'm Paul Lee." The offices of the Department Of Trade And Industry is certainly one of the more curious venues for a Cross Rhythms interview, but we're not here to talk about closing coal pits or reducing levels of toxic waste. We're here to meet Mr Lee, civil servant and long-time supplier of exceptional vocal performances to the British gospel scene. The suave chap before me is happy to talk gospel.
"I hope this album will bring to people's minds the ability of gospel musicians and singers in the UK, because it's still a largely untapped area. There are so many groups and soloists in the churches who go unnoticed. Many of us have been in the industry a long time."

He's not kidding. It's a striking feature of the artists on the album that very few could be called spring chickens, and Paul goes back further than most. He recalls singing with Andrae Crouch at Wembley in 1979 and appeared on the Paradise album 'World's Midnight'. More recently, he worked as resident backing singer throughout the run of 'People Get Ready' TV shows and has just finished singing a track on Kendrick's new album. Add to this CV the names of Lavine Hudson, COGIC and his current choir, The London Adventist Chorale, and you've a pretty handy career.

"Although I have this 9 to 5 job, music has always been my hobby and first love. My earliest memory is of singing in the church choir with my gran out in Jamaica. My parents had records by Pat Boone and The Chuck Wagon Gang and the texture of it was so rich and warm. I'm from the Adventist church which is very conservative in its musical tastes and so everything was smooth and harmonious. They still don't use drums to this day, but I was greatly influenced when Andrae Crouch and the Hawkins came along with their groups."
Paul has his own ideas on just why it is that so many gospel artists are unknown outside of their denominational circle: "The major companies tend to pick up one gospel artist in every long while. They're then pushed into the secular market and soon dropped because they don't sell enough records. It's unfortunate because most of them don't even want to be in the secular market. And they shouldn't have to be, because gospel music ought to be an industry in itself."

But with 'Soul Stirrings' comes some hope. He's pleased with his track, "Something In My Heart". "It's about someone who just can't express the way he feels about God in human words. It's praise and worship really. It's very hard to put into physical terms what you feel about God. You just have to live it."


MANCHESTER COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR WITH JUNIOR ROBINSON AND JENNIFER PHILLIPS
'Freedom', written and produced by Nicky Brown, features Manchester Community Gospel Choir, one of Britain's newest choirs. Founded 18 months ago by experienced director Peter Morgan, they draw singers from throughout the Greater Manchester area, with each concert varying between 60 and 80. The choir is firmly rooted in troubled Moss Side. Founder Peter Morgan emphasises the word 'community' in the title: "The aim is to counteract the negative image many have of the area, and to show that there are just as many positive aspects."

For the solo spots on their recording the choir have brought in Jennifer Phillips and Junior Robinson, two well-known gospel singers from London. Jennifer, born in Birmingham, was runner-up in the BMG gospel awards last year and is regarded as one of the most promising young singers in London. She has an international reputation, with performances on various projects for Island Records as far afield as Hong Kong. Her involvement with the 'Soul Stirrings' project came from the recommendation of John Francis, of the Inspirational Choir.

Croydon born Junior Robinson first met the choir in October last year, when he went to work as compere at an event in Manchester, only to find he was not wanted. "I was feeling 'What a waste of a day' when I was approached by Peter Morgan and asked to sing with the choir that evening." He nervously agreed, and spent the day learning the song. "When the audience thought I was following the musical score, I was actually reading the lyrics!" The song was well received, and Peter and Junior formed a strong friendship.

These then are the singers about to be catapulted into the HMVs and Our Prices by the marketing muscle of a major record company. Will 'Soul Stirrings' herald the long awaited breakthrough for British gospel? Keep watching this space. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.