VA - Greg Belson's Divine Disco, Vol. 1 + Vol. 2 + Divine Funk, Rare American Gospel Soul and Funk. (3 x CD's)

 

GOSPEL SOUL

VA - Greg Belson's Divine Disco, Vol. 1 + Vol. 2 + Divine Funk, Rare American Gospel Soul and Funk.

Greg Belson's Divine Disco, Vol. 1 (American Gospel Disco from 1974 to 1984)

Cultures of Soul Records is proud to present Greg Belson's Divine Disco - American Gospel Disco 1974 to 1984, curated and researched by Gospel Soul music authoritarian Greg Belson. Greg Belson's Divine Disco is a snapshot in time encapsulating the raw power of a spiritual performance, set to the pulsating 4/4 rhythms that were in vogue with the dance floors of the day. Labels like Savoy played a key part in identifying artists that fit nicely into this brand new style with performers like Shirley Finney and The Gospelaires, both of whom were established within the scene, but carried the 'Disco' torch brightly with their tunes featured here. Divine Disco also paints a picture of the lesser known acts that privately released their message to the hopeful masses, such as the Gospel Ambassadors and the Inspirational Souls, whose recording budgets would have been significantly less than any 'major' label. As proven here, they had no less of an impact to the listener. Other tracks on this compilation such as Betty Griffin's "Free Spirit" have become big club spins for the likes of the NYC Downlow and Horse Meat Disco crews. Also included are recently discovered tunes like the Masters of Music's "Trouble Don't Last Always" as well as a future classic by The Testimonial Singers, which features several young members of the Winans Family. We ve got you covered too for those more modern soul, boogiefied moments with rarities from Delores Fuller, Herman Harris and two offerings from the killer LP by Enlightment. This compilation also includes remixes and edits by Steve Cobby (who was a member of Fila Brazillia) and Rahaan.

Greg Belson's Divine Disco, Vol. 2 (Obscure Gospel Disco 1979 to 1987)

Although gospel and disco music seem like polar opposites one is secular while the other has embraced a hedonistic culture the marriage of the two genres has birthed the uplifting spirituality and dance floor thump found in gospel disco. By the mid-'70s many established and independent gospel artists started creating records with a tight four-on-the-floor beat that touched both churchgoers as well as patrons of the drug-fueled establishments of the '70s. Cultures of Soul Records is proud to present the second installment of Greg Belson's Divine Disco. Belson is one of the world's leading authorities on the funky gospel sound; for this collection he dug deep into his crates to undercover the rarest independent and private press gospel disco records ever recorded. Greg Belson's Divine Disco sound is one that's been heard around the world from his DJ appearances at Glastonbury's NYC Donwlow stage to LA's Funky Sole to soul nights across Europe. Many tracks are under the radar or recently discovered such as Harrison Jones - On that Other Shore, Converters, I've Been Converted and the super limited self-released 45 by Mr Jesse R. McGuire Jesus Is On the Mainline. Only 50 copies were ever pressed. This volume even includes gospel disco from the UK with Paradise's brilliant "Keep the Fire." This compilation also includes remixes and edits by Steve Cobby (who was a member of Fila Brazillia) and the Divine Situation production duo of Greg Belson and Paulo Fulci. (Amazon)

Greg Belson's Divine Funk, Rare American Gospel Soul and Funk

Following on from the success of ‘Greg Belson’s Divine Disco’ series Greg Belson and Cultures of Soul team up again to explore the world of Gospel Funk. Belson is one of the world's leading collectors and DJs of gospel music. You hold in your hands a collection of some of the rarest Gospel funk records from Belson’s amazing collection featuring everything from the laid back breakbeat laced “I Don’t Want to Be Alone" by Allen Gauff Jr to the high octane and socially-on-point take of the Gospel classic ‘This Little Light Of Mine’ by the Gospel Ambassadors to drum break funk of the Wearyland Singers ‘If You See Me Doing Wrong” to the sublime soulfulness of Zella Jackson’s “Days Are Just Like People." Without a doubt though, all of the artists included in this compilation, believed in themselves, the message, and the direction of the Gospel Funk intensity you hear within these grooves. Gettin’ on the Good Foot for God? Listen and decide for yourselves! (Amazon)

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Track lists

Divine Disco, Vol. 1

01 Enlightment Faith Is the Key 5:47

02 Delores Fuller One More Chance Lord 3:23

03 Gospel Ambassadors What Kind of Man Is This 2:53

04 Enlightment What's Happening People 2:58

05 Betty Griffin Free Spirit 4:20

06 Inspirational Souls Jesus Is Going Away (But He's Coming Back Again) 4:16

07 Gospel Ambassadors Thank You Jesus 3:45

08 Gloria Griffin You 6:04

09 Masters of Music Trouble Don't Last Always 2:58

10 Gospelaires of Dayton, Ohio No Where to Run 3:27

11 Shirley Finney Give Your Best to the Master 4:54

12 Testimonial Singers No Greater Love 4:08

13 Herman Harris & The Voices of Faith, Hope & Love Give Yourself to Jesus 3:35

14 Gospel Ambassadors Thank You Jesus (Steve Cobby Remix) 6:36

15 Masters of Music Trouble Don't Last Always (Rahaan Edit) 5:14

Divine Disco,  Vol. 2

01 Converters I've Been Converted 3:21

02 Harrison Jones & The Voices of On That Other Shore 4:01

03 Wisdom Change 3:53

04 Johnson Family Gospel Singers Imitations 4:14

05 Calvin B. Rhone I Believe 4:26

06 Psalms Praise the Lord 3:56

07 Mr. Jesse R. McGuire Jesus Is on the Mainline 4:21

08 Paradise Keep the Fire 3:46

09 Wisdom Let the Lord Come in Your Life 3:21

10 Prophecy Take It to the Streets 3:01

11 New Creation Ain't No Right Way to Do Wrong 4:30

12 Calvin B. Rhone That's How Much He Loves You 4:31

13 Harrison Jones & The Voices of On That Other Shore (Divine Si 6:57

14 Mr. Jesse R. McGuire Jesus Is on the Mainline (Stev 5:56

Divine Funk

01 Chariettes Gospel Singers Nobody But Jesus 3:00

02 Allen Gauff, Jr. and His Combo I Don’t Want to Be Alone 5:11

03 Christian Harmonizers Troubles of the World 3:02

04 Wearyland Singers If You See Me Doing Wrong 4:41

05 Gospel Travelers Jesus is Watching You 3:13

06 Pearl Farano and the High Lites of Joy Who’s Your Boss 2:50

07 Gospel Ambassadors This Little Light of Mine 2:57

08 Vocal Aires Save a Seat 3:48

09 Birmingham Traveleers Call Me, Answer 3:43

10 Zella Jackson Days Are Just Like People 2:18

11 Original Christian Harmonizers Blackman, Keep on Doing Your Thing 2:49

12 Preacherman Isidore Womack I've Got Power in My Mind 3:09

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