Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When record buffs get discussing All Time Great Female Singers few indeed are those hip enough to throw the name Dorothy Love Coates into the ring. Yet to those in the know she is a musical giant. Anthony Heilbut wrote in his seminal book 'The Gospel Sound' 'were gospel to be more publicly acclaimed she might have the stature of a Billie Holiday or a Judy Garland'. If you want the proof check out these timeless recordings from the 50s when she was in her prime. Her voice isn't techni­cally great, a shabby contralto, frayed at the edges. But it still encompasses a range from deep, deep near bass to soaring falsetto while what she didn't know about phrasing and swing can't be learnt. The Gospel Harmonettes give her the perfect framework to forge the gospel licks that in time were to be ripped off by every soul singer to come after. Maybe this 24 track compilation will sell a little mainstream, it contains her storming classic "No Hiding Place" recently featured in the movie 'Ghost'.

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