Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Ace Records, those masters of the archive raid, deserve a lot of praise for getting a comprehensive re-issue programme of Nashville's Nashboro gospel catalogue underway and following on from that superlative Swanee Quintet album (see CR 13) now offer a dazzling 27-song compilation which will be snapped by those in the know. So who features on this set? Well, there's (deep breath) the Angelic Gospel Singers, The Bright Stars, CBS Trumpeteers, the Consolers, the Gospel Songbirds, Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke, the Christland Singers, the Jordan River Singers, and heaps more. Some are much loved quartets from the golden age (the Fairfield Four, the Brooklyn All Stars and of course the immense Swannee Quintet), others are giant soloists of yesteryear, Brother Joe May and Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke. All produce some timeless music and though some of the organ accompaniments are a tadge cloying the singing is often spine tingling. Keep those compilations coming, Ace.

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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