Jess Sah Bi is well- known as half of the legendary duo Jess Sah Bi & Peter One who brought homegrown Country- Americana to the West African masses with their smash debut Our Garden Needs It's Flowers in the mid-1980s. Touring stadiums and reaching listeners worldwide, their music has racked up millions of spins on YouTube and remains imprinted in the hearts of Ivorians of a certain age. ATFA reissued their album in 2018, garnering critical acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone and reaching a new generation of listeners outside Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). Sometime in the early 90s, Die Sahbi-or Jesse, as he known to friends- became gravely ill with an unknown ailment and almost died. He visited various doctors and all kinds of religious healers and nothing helped until he became a born-again Christian. He recorded an album of music praising God in order to honor a promise he made to himself at the depths of his desperation in the hospital. That album, Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas [Jesus Christ Does Not Let Us Down], came out in 1991 and sold around 3000 cassettes in Ivory Coast. The master tape was lost along the way so the recording has never been on digital platforms until now. Jesse didn't have much time to record while visiting South Carolina, and he enlisted some American musicians (Robert Fortner and Gary Davis) to help. They added acoustic guitar, percussion and keyboard accompaniment to Jesse's soaring French and Gouro vocals, harmonica and finger-picked acoustic. The resulting recording is deeply soothing and contemplative music that perfectly compliments the songs already embraced by millions. Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas is Jess Sah Bi's first and only gospel album. Fortunately, fans responded with enthusiasm: widespread radio airplay and concerts followed, along with a growing solo profile in the country. The first big gospel artists in Ivory Coast were the duo Mathieu et Constance, who emerged in 1989. There was a bigger gospel music movement in English-speaking counties like Ghana and Nigeria (Christians make up roughly 40% of the population in Ivory Coast, slightly less than Muslims). In the years since Jesus-Christ's release, gospel music in Ivory Coast has grown to become a key part of music culture in the country. Spiritual music appears in community actives across the public and private spectrum from religious gatherings and parties to television broadcasts and music festivals. And, as it has evolved and indigenized locally, gospel music has picked up elements of traditional Ivorian music, reggae and soul. Jesse didn't have any intention of working in Christian music but he realized, "You don't make music to make money-you want to send a message.

Jess Sah Bi is well- known as half of the legendary duo Jess Sah Bi & Peter One who brought homegrown Country- Americana to the West African masses with their smash debut Our Garden Needs It's Flowers in the mid-1980s. Touring stadiums and reaching listeners worldwide, their music has racked up millions of spins on YouTube and remains imprinted in the hearts of Ivorians of a certain age. ATFA reissued their album in 2018, garnering critical acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone and reaching a new generation of listeners outside Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). Sometime in the early 90s, Die Sahbi-or Jesse, as he known to friends- became gravely ill with an unknown ailment and almost died. He visited various doctors and all kinds of religious healers and nothing helped until he became a born-again Christian. He recorded an album of music praising God in order to honor a promise he made to himself at the depths of his desperation in the hospital. That album, Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas [Jesus Christ Does Not Let Us Down], came out in 1991 and sold around 3000 cassettes in Ivory Coast. The master tape was lost along the way so the recording has never been on digital platforms until now. Jesse didn't have much time to record while visiting South Carolina, and he enlisted some American musicians (Robert Fortner and Gary Davis) to help. They added acoustic guitar, percussion and keyboard accompaniment to Jesse's soaring French and Gouro vocals, harmonica and finger-picked acoustic. The resulting recording is deeply soothing and contemplative music that perfectly compliments the songs already embraced by millions. Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas is Jess Sah Bi's first and only gospel album. Fortunately, fans responded with enthusiasm: widespread radio airplay and concerts followed, along with a growing solo profile in the country. The first big gospel artists in Ivory Coast were the duo Mathieu et Constance, who emerged in 1989. There was a bigger gospel music movement in English-speaking counties like Ghana and Nigeria (Christians make up roughly 40% of the population in Ivory Coast, slightly less than Muslims). In the years since Jesus-Christ's release, gospel music in Ivory Coast has grown to become a key part of music culture in the country. Spiritual music appears in community actives across the public and private spectrum from religious gatherings and parties to television broadcasts and music festivals. And, as it has evolved and indigenized locally, gospel music has picked up elements of traditional Ivorian music, reggae and soul. Jesse didn't have any intention of working in Christian music but he realized, "You don't make music to make money-you want to send a message.

The Soul Stirrers - Never Turn Back: The Singles Collection 1940-49 / The Soul Stirrers were one of the most noted gospel groups of the post-war decades, although they were formed as long ago as the 1930s, becoming one of the innovative groups during the 1940s who moved from the traditional "flatfooted" highly arranged quartet style towards the freer "hard gospel" style of the new era. They are perhaps most famous for the period during the 1950s when the future soul legend Sam Cooke was with the group and got a hugely significant grounding the business, but among cognoscenti they are equally renowned for this period, when their lead singer was Rebert "R.H." Harris, who introduced the "swing lead" style as two singers exchanged lead vocals to build emotional intensity. This 48-track 2-CD collection comprises releases on the Bronze, Down Beat, Harlem and 20th Century labels during this era followed by most of their substantial body of recordings made for the Aladdin label from 1947 to 1949 before they joined the Specialty label, and were joined by Sam Cooke. They were one of the most influential gospel groups of the day and this collection offers, we hope, a substantial, inspiring and uplifting showcase for their bold and distinctive approach to gospel music during what was a golden era for the genre.

Vinyl LP pressing. Aficionados of Doo-wop will have long been acquainted with the heavenly harmonies of Johnny Maestro and The Crests, and yet this sublime group has often been overlooked in retrospectives of the genre. Ground-breaking from the very start, this was the first racially-mixed group to hit the big time. Their hits included uptempo pop songs, to dreamily-rendered love ballads, and they enjoyed significant success in the late 1950s and early 1960s. However, theirs is a story of a band ahead of it's time, in a country that was much divided in terms of race and ethnicity, and it was this that ultimately led to it's demise. This stunning collection showcases the talents of Johnny Maestro and The Crests; classic songs, effortless harmonies, possessing a rare timeless quality that still sound fresh today. This sumptuous collection features 18 of their most beloved and beautiful releases when at the height of their fame including the huge singles "Sixteen Candles", "Sweetest One", "The Angel Listened In", "Trouble In Paradise" and the timeless "I'll Remember (In The Still Of The Night".

Delivering the second sermon in their Disco Gospel series, Chicago's Sadar Bahar & Marc Davis hand-pick and re-edit two more under-the-radar disco/gospel fusion tracks for the modern dancefloor. Both revered selectors and producers, Marc and Sadar are integral parts of Chicago's underground music scene, sharing the city's spirit with the world. Through his own label, Black Pegasus, and the Chi Talo series, Marc has become an in-demand DJ known for his raw and eclectic sets. He joins forces with good friend, DJ's DJ and Soul In The Hole head Sadar Bahar, whose name regularly tops the bill at some of the finest clubs and festivals around the globe. Digging deep once again, the pair serve up two certified secret weapons from their renowned collections. Finding that sweet spot that drew out the most uplifting, powerful, and danceable elements of both gospel and disco, they shine a light on two beauties from Myrna Summers and The Yancy Family. Tweaked and re-edited with style and consideration, they re-work the tracks with DJs and dancers in mind. As Robert M. Marovich of Journal of Gospel Music puts it, "The rise of contemporary gospel music in the 1970s and 1980s changed the style, if not the substance, of Black sacred music. Artists, including the Yancy Family and Myrna Summers, worked within the groovy new sound to attract the attention of a generation growing up on rock, jazz, pop, and soul. Bring them into the church through the music, the maxim goes, and they'll stay for the sermon. Likewise, these two re-edited album tracks by Sadar Bahar and Marc Davis keep the gospel music heritage alive while encouraging a brand-new generation to dance through the church doors." Up first, Myrna Summers 'So Much to Live For' channels that straight from the heart passion and collective joy that gospel embodies. Bursting with uplifting lyrics, scintillating organ melodies, and an infectious sing-along spirit, Marc and Sadar give it a club-ready DJ edit, extending it for maximum dancefloor deliverance. The B side sees the duo work their magic on, 'Lifted Me Higher'. Written by Kevin Yancy and taken from the Yancy Family's 1989 album From One Christian Family to Another, it features vocals from siblings Kevin, Judy, and Rev. Darryl Yancy, along with Lois Scott. The all-star team of Chicago musicians includes Sherwin (Butch) Yancy on organ, Michael Wade on piano and synthesizer, and Richard Gibbs (longtime accompanist for Aretha Franklin) on piano and bass. With a soulful boogie flavour, dripping in slap bass and '80s synthlines, Marc and Sadar rework the intro so it rides out on a section of delectable instrumental grooves, before letting the glorious vocals hit home.

The Original Five Blind Boys of Mississippi were one of the premier gospel groups of what was a golden age for gospel in the immediate post-war decades, as the music developed it's more commercial stylings and positioning from it's traditional roots. Acrobat already has on catalogue a 2-CD set devoted to the group's earlier career ("The Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi 1943-54" Acrobat ADDCD3003), and this collection picks up the story from that point with only a couple of titles duplicated on the two collections. This 48-track 2-CD collection comprises just about all the A&B sides of their singles on the Peacock and Vee Jay labels from these years, plus the tracks from their Peacock album "Precious Memories", not otherwise featured on singles, and their Checker album "I'll Go". It features performances in what was known as the "hard gospel" style of the day, with the line-up including renowned lead singer and songwriter Archie Brownlee, fellow songwriter Lloyd Woodard, and after Brownlee's tragic death from pneumonia in 1960 at the age of 34, another distinctive lead voice of Roscoe Robinson. They were a hugely popular and influential group, and this collection captures them at the height of their powers.

Born of faith and forged in harmony, 'I Found the Answer' is a true gospel rarity, that speaks straight to the soul as only these voices can. Remastered for 2026 and newly reissued for CD, this is a powerful performance in sound and spirit from the one and only Swan Silvertones.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a gospel singer, songwriter and guitarist who was unique in her genre as the pioneer of performing gospel using an electric guitar, to the extent that many of her records and performances have been seen as early examples of rock 'n' roll, and she acquired the nicknames "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock 'n' roll". Rock 'n' roll artists like Elvis Presley and Little Richard, and blues guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jeff beck cite her as an influence. This rocking 16 track LP includes releases with Lucky Millinder's Orchestra, duets with fellow gospel singer Marie Knight, and tracks where she is accompanied by The Sam Price Trio. Her work strayed into the mainstream R&B market, and this collection includes her US R&B hits "Strange Things Happening Every Day", "Precious Memories", "Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air" and "Silent Night" alongside single releases from her iconic album "Gospel Train". She was an artist who broke the mould of how gospel could be performed and this collection from a key era of her career is a substantial and entertaining showcase for her unique approach.

Ink Spots - The Hits Collection 1939-51 The Ink Spots, along with the Mills Brothers, were one of the leading early doowop vocal groups during the decades spanning WWII, bringing together the influences of barber-shop quartets, gospel and jazz to create a sound and style that appealed to the mainstream pop market. Employing a distinctive guitar introduction, and using the "top and bottom" technique that contrasted the high tenor lead vocal of Bill Kenny with the bass voice of Orville Jones delivering a spoken verse, they developed a successful formula that was all their own, and between 1939 and 1951 they had around 50 hits in the various incarnations of the charts. In fact they had too many hits for us to be able to include all of them in this great-value 48-track 2-CD collection, which features all their Top 30 pop hits and all their Top 10 R&B hits, plus a few more, including those with Ella Fitzgerald. It features the No. 1s "Address Unknown", "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)", "I'm Making Believe", "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall", "The Gypsy", and "To Each His Own" plus the R&B No.1s "I Can't Stand Losing You" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". It's a concentrated presentation of their very best recordings, featuring their highly individual treatments of some of the finest songs of the era, and it's a marvellous showcase for their unique style of music.

The Deep River Boys sang in a wide variety of music styles, including pop, rhythm & blues, show tunes, jazz, blues and rock & roll. Yet if there's one thing the Deep River Boys are remembered for, it's their respect for their musical roots. Like other groups that formed in Black colleges during the 1930s. The Deeps began by singing old African American spirituals. Most genres of American music, including jazz, blues, rhythm & blues and rock & roll trace their roots to spirituals, sung first by slaves in the cotton fields of the American South. Throughout their career, the Deep River Boys continued to preserve the legacy of spirituals in their authentic form and dialect, resisting the temptation to modernize them. The songs on this CD were recorded by the Deep River Boys for the Lang-Worth radio transcription company in the 1940s.

If there is one thing that Triumphant Quartet does exceptionally well, it is giving the fans what they want. As trailblazers in the Southern Gospel industry, they are bridging the gap between the legacy of sound and songs familiar to long-time listeners and a younger, newer audience more familiar with CCM hits. On previous projects, they've crossed barriers with "Chain Breaker," "Eye of the Storm," "We Believe," "Way Maker" and "Goodness of God" to find that whether people were hearing it for the first time or for the hundredth, these songs resonated with everyone. With a strong, consistent heart for the Church, Triumphant Quartet sought to embrace both hymns and worship songs of the Church on their latest offering, Hymns and Worship. The pairing of Triumphant Quartet with veteran producer Wayne Haun has yielded a new recording filled with familiar songs all in a true Triumphant Quartet, progressive southern sound. The results are stunning, and the goal of bringing their talents to songs they sing in church each Sunday is beautifully met. The simplicity of hymns like "My Jesus, I Love Thee" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" brings subtle, personal worship moments to the album. Recent CCM and Praise & Worship covers include Zach Williams' "Less Like Me," "The Blessing" (Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe), "Homecoming" by Bethel Music & Cody Asbury, "Help is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" by Toby Mac, and the current hit "My Jesus" by Anne Wilson. The brilliant arrangements of each of these songs create a masterpiece of worship where the focus is truly on the One worthy of our praise and the artist is truly a vessel leading the listener in song.

2022 release. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) As the central theme of the Gospel message, this scripture is probably the best known passage. And this message is one that The Perrys share through every album and every concert. The title cut from the album, "John 3:16 Is Calling Out To You," has already released digitally and to radio and it is gaining traction. Putting this scripture into song feels familiar and comforting - something The Perrys also long for these days. With numerous changes over the last few years, they are blessed to be able to look back and find consistency. Wayne Haun has been a long-time friend and producer for Libbi Perry Stuffle and The Perrys. He helps them find just the right songs and then pushes each member to give their best in the studio. He knows their sound. His care and expertise is evident throughout the entire album John 3:16. The Perrys have also been fortunate to record many songs by the famed songstress Kyla Rowland. When Kyla passed away just a few weeks ago, it brought comfort to The Perrys that they had already received a song from their beautiful friend for this upcoming recording. It may well be the final new recording of a Kyla Rowland song. Also providing consistency for The Perrys is this recording of songs with themes of victory, encouragement, salvation, and redemption.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) Phillips, Craig & Dean. Selah. The Three Tenors. If you had to compare the sound of Hebron Road to another artist, these would be accurate. Hebron Road's goal is to use their God-given talents to point others to the throne of the King of kings. Bringing their best in content and production, Hebron Road's debut album, In A Moment, showcases pitch-perfect unison and glorious harmonies akin to what we anticipate hearing around that throne. The focus throughout is praise to God. Friend and songwriter Michael Neale (Natalie Grant, Michael W. Smith, Kutless, Shane & Shane) contributes three songs or arrangements to the album and producer Keith Everette Smith (Tasha Layton, Danny Gokey, Charles Billingsley) co-wrote two additional songs. For this debut, Hebron Road recorded their version of Crowder's "All My Hope" and Lauren Daigle's "You Say" bringing these contemporary songs into the church sanctuary. These expressions of worship are truly inspirational and appeal to a wide variety of audiences.

2021 release. During 2020, many artists used their time at home to connect with their family and friends. Ernie Haase not only did that, he and Signature Sound also continued ministering through music. When so many people were offering pay-per-view online concerts, EHSS came into their fans' living rooms on Friday nights with a full half-hour of music and encouragement - for free. Letters and emails from viewers indicated that this was often the only ray of hope during the season of isolation, loss, and grief. Keeping On was born in that darkness, fear, and anxiety that seemed to grip us all. If all you've got left is just one more breath, rise up in faith - take one more step. Keep on keeping on. Filled with songs of encouragement, hope, unity, and praise, Keeping On is the perfect collection of songs for this time. The first single, "Wake Up," released October 2020 and has climbed the Southern Gospel radio charts (currently #22). Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is poised for a banner year with the release of Keeping On. This album serves as a springboard for their concert tour, as well as season two of their web series, which will be rebranded as "Good To Be Home." Join EHSS in the journey into the light through these fun, fresh, faith-focused songs as they inspire us to Keep On Keeping On.

2021 release. Produced and arranged by Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated musical genius Wayne Haun, Favorites: On Repeat showcases the versatility of The Erwins, and they are truly excited to share some of the music that has impacted them personally. Keith Erwin reveals, "After five years of being with StowTown, and three projects of all original material, we saw a need for a healthy balance of songs that are ours, as well as tunes that people already know. This recording is filled with both songs we grew up listening to and songs that are current today. We pray that this project will allow the audience to hear a familiar lyric that may bring sweet memories to them, but also hear a song of our generation that they can sing along to and worship with us."

Two CD collection. Craft Recordings honors the music of The Gospel Truth Records, a subsidiary of Stax Records, with the first-ever complete collection of all 17 singles-and their respective B-sides-issued by the imprint between 1972 and 1974. This set features in-depth liner notes by Memphis-based journalist Jared Boyd, who captured new interviews with Stax executive Al Bell, trailblazing gospel artist Rance Allen, and Mary Peak Patterson, who helped establish the label.

When The Collingsworth Family decided to live stream a concert from home to benefit Samaritan's Purse on March 29, they had no idea what God would do with this act of obedience. As a last minute decision, they set up recording equipment to record an event that would be viewed by more than 595,000 people and raise more than $220,000 for Samaritan's Purse, the Franklin Graham organization that had just moved into New York City, the U.S. epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. The songs they shared were encouraging and calming - something fans so desperately needed as many states were going into government-imposed lockdowns that very week. The Collingsworth Family could not have anticipated what God would do with their simple effort to support Samaritan's Purse. Fans flooded their office with requests for recordings of this event.

2020 release. In the three decades since it's inception, the internationally renowned Chicago Mass Choir has defined the passion, power, and excellence of traditional gospel voices lifted in praise. They've had no less than sixteen albums reach the Billboard Gospel charts and earned two Grammy, three Dove, and more than ten Stellar Award nominations. CMC's unparalleled live performances reach from America's heartland all the way to Canada and Europe as well as to high-profile Gospel television shows and music festivals. In their 30th anniversary year, New Haven Records in honored to release the 17th album from Chicago Mass Choir, My Soul Says Yes. From award-winning producers Percy Gray Jr, and Jeral Gray Sr., this project captures the unmatched energy of today's Chicago Mass Choir while staying true to the genre and the life-changing message of the Gospel.

Acrobat has a significant catalogue of gospel recordings, and this addition to those offerings enables to make available recordings by some artists for whom we do not individual collections at this stage. It comprises material released on the celebrated Peacock label of Houston, Texas, which was a significant regional focus for the recording activity of some of the important and hugely popular gospel quartets who were highly active across the southern states during the post-war era. This great-value 110-track 4-CD features recordings by many of the artists who recorded for Peacock during this time - The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Sensational Nightingales, Sister Jessie Mae Renfro, Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Sister Josephine James, Otis Jackson, The Bells Of Joy, The Original Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi, The Spirit of Memphis Quartet, The Gospelaires of Dayton Ohio, The Brooklyn All Stars, The Alpha And Omega Singers, The Gospel Consolators, The Ever-Ready Gospel Singers, The Pilgrim Jubilee Singers and The Baltimore Echos. It's an inspiring, uplifting and entertaining anthology which is a must for fans of this genre

Vault Series: Radio Days By: The Cathedrals StowTown Records / 2017 - One of the most beloved recordings of The Cathedral Quartet was Radio Days. This project was a tribute to the early beginnings of Southern Gospel quartet music. Many of the popular quartets began their careers by performing radio shows across the United States from 1930 to 1950. Songs from the Stamps-Baxter/Stamps Quartet and James D. Vaughn catalogs quickly rose to prominence as a result of these shows. Today those songs are considered classics. StowTown Records has extracted this treasure from their vault for fans to reminisce and even introduce to a new generation.

2017 release from the multi-GMA/Dove Award nominated and winning artists. One of Southern Gospel's most beloved family bands, The Perrys, return with a new recording. Each song has become a very personal testimony to the members of this ministry now over 40 years in the making. Through all of many trials and valleys this family has walked through the past years they have never forgotten their calling or their covenant with God. Their desire is to encourage others who may be going through what seems to be impossible situations. There are answers, comfort and healing in these lyrics about a God who is ever faithful.