Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I doubt whether there's ever been a better intro to fifties black gospel than this dazzling 24-song compilation from the archives of Speciality, the West Coast label which in addition to producing rock'n'roll classics for Little Richard, Larry Williams et al made literally hundreds of superb examples of gospel. Some of them reached classic status and several are included here. There's the Soul Stirrers with Sam Cooke in breathtaking form on "Touch The Hem Of His Garment", the original Five Blind Boys Of Alabama who on "Oh Lord Stand By Me" start stentorian and statesmenlike and end up whipped into a lather; the Meditation Singers whose "I'm Determined" is a fiery rave up; and the Soul Stirrers (with Johnnie Taylor replacing Sam) oozing soul on the Leroy Croome ballad "The Love Of God". With other classic blasts from the past supplied by the Swan Silvertones, Brother Joe May, the Pilgrim Travelers, Dorothy Love Coates, Alex Bradford, Sister Wynona Carr and the recently-passed James Cleveland this is a superlative compilation recommended even if you have some of the tracks already (quite likely if you're a black gospel collector) and even more recom­mended if you're looking for an introduction to the roots of Christian music.

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.

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