Glorious gospel

Lutheran, The, Jul 2002 by Delloff, Linda-Marie

Florida label offers new sounds

There is no more joyous form of religious expression than American gospel music. This indigenous genre is represented bv many performers who continue to work in the traditional modes of Mahalia Jackson, Thomas A. Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, the Barrett sisters and others. But there are also as many new gospel styles as there are new songs being written. And continually, new companies spring up to record them.

For example, Allen & Allen Music Group (a small Florida label founded by two performers of inspirational jazz), so far has specialized in church choirs and other large ensembles from that state. Two recent releases demonstrate virtually every gospel style currently being performed.

Speak for Me features Arthur T. Jones and the Florida Mass Choir. Jones, a former IBM marketing executive-turned-pastor, wrote many of the CD's songs and is soloist on most of them. He has the kind of deep, powerful, gravelly voice that is perfect for this music (and, one assumes, for preaching). The selections include traditional, upbeat contemporary and jazz-influenced styles. Jones' son also performs an imaginative rap song ("Jesus Is Mine"). The senior Jones uses some contemporary lyrics from other types of music and changes their meaning to fit his religious message ("So you've been looking for love in all the wrong places

The other release is Because You Are Worthy by the Word and Worship Mass Choir of Bethel in Jacksonville, Florida's oldest Baptist church. The director is Bethel's pastor, Rudolph McKissick Jr. (whose training includes opera and organ). The recording duplicates "the Bethel experience," where each Sunday features a carefully planned "journey through a variety of musical styles." These include hymns, spirituals, anthems, contemporary praise songs-even hip-hop.

Current technology makes it possible for even small labels to achieve excellent production quality. These two recordings benefit from that development. You can look for these CDs (or tapes) at Christian bookstores: Online ordering possibilities include www.musicforce.com and www.gospelcity.com. Or call Allen & Allen at (866) 642-5536.

By: Linda-Marie Delloff

Delloff is senior writer for The Alban Institute.

E-mail: Imdelll@aol.com