Reviewed by Tony May

These are original Trumpet Records gems, featuring the Jackson, Mississippi 6-piece that specialised in the rawer, more hard-edged side of traditional gospel harmony singing. The history books record that their early career was spent competing (for competition was the name of the game without doubt) with the smoother, calmer sounds of such as The Golden Gate Quartet. Finding that a very overcrowded sphere, they let rip with a blast of aggressive energy which, whilst maintaining the gloriously precise harmonies, sought to shred the hearer into surrender with razor-edged power. The 12 tracks here, recorded in 1950-53, are exceptionally emotion-charged in the classic style of The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi, but still showing traces of their jubilee-style heritage, with Cliff Givens' thunderous bass voice anchoring the whole thing. Familiar songs include "I'll Fly Away", "Rock In A Weary Land", and "Live So God Can Use You", some others are Southern Sons originals. If you're amongst the few who have bothered to discover the mighty music of traditional black gospel, you must get this. One of the best.

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