Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Despite the assurance on the back sleeve that "the Detroiters and the Golden Echoes were among the hottest quartets of gospel music's golden age" neither came near the popularity of Soul Stirrers, Swan Silvertones et al. But no matter, these are good groups. The Detroiters have switched leads - a high one Oliver Green and a harsh shouter Leroy Barnes - and were unusual in that many of their tracks featured keyboards (the group toured with a pianist rather than the much preferred guitar). The Golden Echoes had in Wilmer 'Little Axe' Broadnax one of gospel's most distinctive vocalists a singer that when taking over from the baritone of joint lead Paul Foster could grip the listener with a voice that the sleeve note ably describes, "that was sweet but almost vicious, dripping with emotion." Little Axe went on to sing with several of the great quartets of the 50s and 60s including the Spirit Of Memphis, the Fairfield Four and the Five Blind Boys. But these compelling Golden Echoes cuts from the late 40s take some beating. 26 songs including alternative takes and previously unissued songs.

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