About this item

Soul Jazz Records’ ‘Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul - A Higher Power - Gospel, Funk & Soul at the Crossroads 1971-83’ draws upon the extensive links between black American gospel music and soul music, showing how the sensibilities of gospel artists such as Shirley Caeser, Dorothy Norwood, Andrae Crouch and others crossed over into secular soul music during this period.

The album was first available as a long-sold out coloured vinyl edition for RSD 2023 and is now available on black double vinyl and for the first time on CD.

Many of the most successful soul artists - from Aretha Franklin to Al Green, The Staple Singers to Sam Cooke - all drew upon their upbringing in the church for their musical inspiration. This album discusses how important the links between the black church and soul music were in creating soul music and spotlights some of the many important (and also little-known) gospel artists who walked this line between sacred music and soul, funk and disco in the 1970s and early 1980s.

‘Holy Church Of The Ecstatic Soul’ shows how sacred gospel music was at home with Stevie Wonder, Blaxploitation-style funk, and produced music celebrated both in New York’s underground discos (The Paradise Garage, Studio 54, etc) and later sampled by the likes of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Mary J Blige.

“Curated with an obvious passion and sense of history, ‘Holy Church Of The Ecstatic Soul’ serves as the perfect intro to the funky spirituals that once served as the foundation for various schools of sound (Philly R&B, disco, soul) over the last 50 years.” - The Wire

TRACK LISTING

Andraé Crouch & The Disciples - Satisfied
Shirley Caesar - Jesus Children Of America
The Meditation Singers - Trouble's Brewin'
The Clark Sisters - You Brought The Sunshine
Dorothy Norwood - Let Your Feet Down Easy
Shirley Caesar - Jesus Is Coming
Swan Silvertones - If You Believe Your God Is Dead
The Alvin Darling Ensemble - Is There Anybody Here?
Roscoe Robinson - There's A Creator
Destiny - Nothing Can Stop Me Now
The Meditation Singers - Good Old Gospel Music
Keith Barrow - Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
Roscoe Robinson - Elijah
Dyson's Faces - Till I've Got This Feelin' Of Love
The Violinaires - The Upper Way
Leomia Boyd And The Gospel Music Makers - Higher In Jesus' Love
Keith Barrow - The Right Road Now