Reviewed by Andy Charalambous

Straight out of the vaults from the legendary Stax record label comes this unique collection of mid-60s gospel released on the Memphis company's relatively unknown subsidiary, Chalice Records. The CD itself is bound to please anyone interested in the history of a label that mainly recorded some of the popular gospel quartets that were around at the time and who were struggling to survive in a market that was just discovering the big choir sound which later transformed black gospel into what it is today. Stax was of course to be catapulted into music immortality with its brand of soul music (Otis Redding, Booker T And The MG's et al). But with Chalice they were recording local gospel groups with a quartet sound long after the golden age (the 50s) had gone. So this archive dredge documents the Jubilee Hummingbirds, the Pattersonaires and the Dixie Nightingales. Out of the 24 tracks released here, the only one that I really enjoyed was "Even Me" recorded by the Stars Of Virginia. If you're someone looking for some retro-gospel to bolster your collection, then this CD may strictly appeal to you. Otherwise, leave it to the Stax completists.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.