Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Utica Normal And Industrial Institute taught young African Americans from southern Mississippi and in the '20s a hand picked male quartet of the best student voices were heard at weekly chapel. By 1927 they were recording and broadcasting and the 18 tracks here made between '27 and '29 show the Utica Institute Jubilee Singers to be impressive harmonisers with a sound which could appeal to white as well as to black audiences. Their repertoire were mainly the old spirituals and on songs like "Balm In Gilead" and "O Mary Don't You Weep" the effect is timeless. The Uticas had considerable success during their era with two trips to Europe and worked with such famous evangelists as Gypsy Smith and though they are largely forgotten today this fascinating compilation shows that they were up there with the best jubilee groups. As well as their complete recorded works, this CD also offers the six recordings made by an obscure female group, Harrod's Jubilee Singers. Crudely recorded in 1922 and featuring shrill harmonies, their tracks are more for historians than today's gospel music lovers.

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