Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A hugely ambitious compilation endeavouring to document 100 years of black music, this 10 CD box set will set you back a cool £75.00 but containing so many stone classics from early blues to vintage soul to current hip hop, it's a must for connoisseurs wanting to pinpoint THE most important musical development of the last century. Gospel-wise it's light and it's a shame that the genre gets only a token representation (Blind Willie Johnson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Edwin Hawkins Singers, etc). At least they're there. Jazz and African music don't get a look in! Despite the omissions, this is a lovingly compiled celebration of some of the most amazing music ever recorded.

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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