Artist: Various Artists
Album: Overdose of the Holy Ghost
Label: Z Records
Release Date: 29/04/2013
And now for something different. We're canning the beats machines, plug-ins and arpeggiators for this episode of Album of the Week, instead pulling some raw and retro gospel music down from the dusty shelves to feature Overdose of the Holy Ghost. In this excellent compilation, released through Joey Negro's Z Records, expert compiler David Hill has done all the hard yards for you, delving back to boogie times to reintroduce gospel classics to the uninitiated and expert alike.
The resulting collection is bursting with energy: passionate and boisterous vocalists, tight and rhythmic arrangements with unbridled bass, guitar and organ solos galore. Meet the Clarke Sisters, meet The Young Delegation, meet Rahni Harris & Family Love… this album is loaded with vivid musical characters, communicating joy through quality funk and disco.
These songs were a reflection of the musical milieu at the time they were released, and their re-release through Overdose of the Holy Ghost is particularly pertinent to the current dance scene. 70s and 80s funk and disco is enjoying a major renaissance in clubland and if you haven't clocked these retro sounds elbowing their way into house and techno DJ sets of late then you need to get out more.
There is skill, love and personality within these double discs, but hopefully what you get out of it more than anything is a lot of fun. Here's what compiler David Hill had to say to Spotlight about the release…
Where did you look for tracks for this compilation, and how did you decide what made the cut?
"I've been buying gospel music since about 2001, at least that's when the hunger properly took hold. I know several record dealers in the States, and my good friend Greg Belson, who's an even bigger gospel fiend that me, moved to LA a few years back, so he finds tracks for me. I stlll scour eBay on a daily basis, and the vast majority of the tracks on Overdose of the Holy Ghost were sourced via eBay or Discogs. It's much easier these days, as lots of sellers list with sound-clips, but ten years ago on eBay this wasn't the case and I took lots of punts, which can be a risky business with gospel…."
It's obvious Gospel music is influenced by secular trends, but how has gospel influenced other styles, like dance music for example?
"Gospel is well known to have had a huge influence on soul music since the 60s, largely because so many of the artists first sung in the Church, so it was deep in their blood. In the late 70s and 80s many of New York's most influential DJs were spinning gospel in their selections, people like Tony Humphries, Larry Levan, Timmy Regisford and David Mancuso – they'd all be dropping tunes by the likes of the Joubert Singers and the New York Community Choir, and these became some of their biggest tunes. I think it was probably a combination of vocal ability and the positivity of the message that helped these records to become such big anthems. Then these DJs went on to influense the next wave, especially the soulful house sounds from New Jersey in early 90s – Gospel clearly played its part in informing the music of producers like Blaze and Casio Ware, and then there's Masters and Work with India."
Why do you think funk and disco has become so popular for a younger generation during the last few years?
"To be honest, I didn't really know it had, but I guess it's because people are appreciating the warmth of real instruments recorded to 2" tape. In a world where contemporary music is largely produced 'in the box' on plug-ins. These tracks just have a certain human quality, a warmth and authority that just hasn't been recreated yet in digital productions."
Why do you feel it's important to re-release old music?
"I think it's very important that music is re-released properly, with informative sleeve notes and careful attention paid to masters and production, which is why I was glad to work with Z on this project, as they've done a great job. Re-releasing in this way helps to tell the story, it preserves the music for future generations and allows younger producers and DJs to access the music. And knowing the history has only ever helped people to make better music."
What other projects are you involved that raid the musical attic for quality tracks to re-issue?
"I have several other compilations in early stages of production, and I also run a roots reggae night called Rootikal, which is at East Village in Shoreditch, so I produce, remix and reissue reggae as well (www.rootikal.net). We'll be at David Rodigan's RamJam at The Forum on 17th, where we're playing alongside Toddla T, Miss Dynamite, Bitty McLean Dub Phizix and the main man, David Rodigan – and it's going to be one a big night!"
Tracklist:
CD1
01 The Clark Sisters - Overdose of The Holy Ghost
02 Shirley Caesar - Heavenly Father
03 Ricky Womack & Christian Essence - I Need You (Joey Negro Edit)
04 Dan Greer - Love Is The Message (Joey Negro Edit)
05 Kristle - I'll Go
06 D.J. Rogers - All I Gave Him Was My Heart
07 The Young Delegation - I'll Keep Holdin On
08 Linda Evans - I Am Gold
09 Elbernita 'Twinkie' Clark - Awake O Zion
10 Tommy T & Company - Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere
11 Truth & Devotion - I Must See My Lord
12 Norman Weeks & The Revelations - Hold On
CD2
01 The Clark Sisters - Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Joey Negro Edit)
02 Gloster Williams & Master Control - No Cross, No Crown
03 Roslyn & Charles - Was Not Intended (David Hill Edit)
04 The Dynamic Clark Sisters with Mattie Moss Clark - Ha Ya (Eternal Life)
05 The Young Delegation - He Lives
06 Sharon Johnson - A Better Day
07 BeBe & CeCe Winans - I Really Love You (David Hill Edit)
08 The Fannie Clark Singers - Use Me Lord
09 Shirley Caesar - Message To The People
10 Ronia La Vee - Lead Me
11 Rahni Harris & Family Love - He's My Friend
12 James Moore - As A Nation (David Hill Edit)
