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Greg Belson's Divine Disco: American Gospel Disco 1974-1984

pulsating 4/4 rhythms

By Mike in News Archives
Published 24 Jul 2016

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Greg Belson's Divine Disco: American Gospel Disco 1974-1984 magazine cover

Cultures of Soul Records is proud to present a brand new compilation curated and researched by Gospel Soul music authoritarian Greg Belson. Greg Belson's Divine Disco - American Gospel Disco 1974 to 1984 is a snapshot in time encapsulating the raw power of a spiritual performance, set to the pulsating 4/4 rhythms that were in vogue on the dance floors of the day.

Formats : Cd and gatefold 2xLP 
Price varies format/country/outlet

Juno Player

 

Cd Listing


1.    Enlightment - "Faith Is The Key"
2.    Delores Fuller - "One More Chance Lord"
3.    Gospel Ambassadors - "What Kind Of Man Is This"
4.    Enlightment - "What's Happening People"
5.    Betty Griffin - "Free Spirit"
6.    The Inspirational Souls - "Jesus Is Going Away (But He's Coming Back Again)"
7.    Gospel Ambassadors - "Thank You Jesus"
8.    Gloria Grffin - "You"
9.    The Masters Of Music - "Troubles Don't Last Always"
10.    The Gospelaires Of Dayton Ohio - "No Where To Run"
11.    Shirley Finney - "Give Your Best To The Master"
12.    The Testimonial Singers - "No Greater Love"
13.    Herman Harris & The Voices Of Faith Hope & Love - "Give Yourself To Jesus"
14.    Gospel Ambassadors - "Thank You Jesus" (Steve Cobby remix)
15.    Masters Of Music - "Trouble Don't Last Always" (Rahaan edit)

 

Company Blurb

This compilation focuses on a breed of Gospel performers that were forward-thinking enough to explore a funkier style; a powerful message with which a younger audience could identify. Music that could stir their mind, body and soul…..while stimulating their senses with a basic need to dance!

Labels like Savoy played a key part in identifying artists that fit nicely into this brand new movement….performers like Shirley Finney and The Gospelaires, both of whom were established within the scene but carried the ‘Disco’ torch brightly with their tunes, are 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 here 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 released by Enlightment.

-Greg Belson

 

Available now via usual suspects

gospel-disco-album-greg.jpg

 

gospel-divine-soul.jpg

 



Edited by mike

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ajb

ajb 266

Posted

for me the best compilation so far this year, well done Greg :thumbsup: 

more of this please, lovely stuff :yes:

Roburt

Roburt 2,692

Posted

Greg has great musical taste (& a super fab collection of gospel dancers), so this collection will be an essential buy.

Just bought a copy of the CD (UK Amazon -- £10).

Greg Belson

Greg Belson 400

Posted

This just in....two years ago when Cultures of Soul approached me to compile a gospel disco album, I had no real idea of the work it would take to make the project a reality. The commitment, the time, the effort, of tracking down these amazing artists and releasing a set of music that speaks from the heart, mind and soul. Here we are in 2016, and I didn't anticipate the reactions it's been receiving....starting today, Lauren Laverne has confirmed 'Divine Disco' as her compilation of the week....that means peak time plays during the day, all week long, on a national broadcast service like BBC Radio 6 Music. I'm amazed and humbled...seriously. Thanks to everybody that's worked so hard to get the job done as well as those of you that have actually supported and bought the release itself....my cap is seriously doffed!

Mickey Finn

Mickey Finn 1,318

Posted

Well done, Greg. Definitely on my wants list, and thanks in particular in advance for the two Enlightment tracks. Together with the inclusion of another in the "Private Wax volume 2" comp from earlier this year, it won't be long before the whole album has been re-released!




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