Various Artists – Soul Gospel Vol. 2
The Soul Gospel series from the always-inventive folks at London’s Soul Jazz doesn’t carry the end-to-end religious weight of most gospel collections. Instead, the criteria include a certain emotional and spiritual depth that, in the liner-note words of Chris Menist, “comes from a vocal schooling in the environment of the church, against a background of social hardship and political change.” Short version: It’s as much about the mood as it is the Messiah. The Staple Singers’ take on “For What It’s Worth” epitomizes this vision, as does the Sweet Inspirations’ version of the Staples’ “Why Am I Treated So Bad”. Both are indictments of a society in crisis, both driven by voices and rhythms unmistakably church-born. The message that a change is coming is delivered in thrilling fashion on Pastor T.L. Barrett’s Stevie Wonder-ish, choir-bolstered “After The Rain”. Other cuts are tougher sells depth-wise, most notably gospel singer turned disco diva Loleatta Holloway’s “Casanova”.