Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

The subtitle of this generous 60 track collection may be something of a bold claim but there is no doubting that the artists featured here are amongst the most important and influential the music world has ever known. Another big bonus is that this particular compilation is being sold at a ridiculously low price making it an ideal starter for anybody keen on investigating gospel music's rich roots. Matriarchs such as Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe weigh in with classics such as "Move On Up A Little Higher Part 1" and "Rock Me" and evidence an obvious influence on later female superstars - namely Aretha Franklin who herself features with a formative performance of "Never Grow Old". Elsewhere, male groups like the Five Blind Boys Of Alabama, the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet and the wonderful Swan Silvertones showcase their vocal dexterities whilst a pre-secular Sam Cooke simply shines with his Soul Stirrers in numbers like "Jesus Gave Me Water" and "How Far Am I From Canaan?" which add variety to an already diverse compilation. Refreshingly, the compilers of this release have chosen to largely steer away from songs that their owners are normally associated with. For instance, the Swan Silvertones' "My Rock" is chosen in favour of the more renowned "O Mary Don't You Weep" whilst the slow-to-get-ready masterpiece that is Mahalia Jackson's "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen" is featured at the expense of other over-compiled potential inclusions. The informative biographical liner notes that are usually included in such releases are lacking but this is only a minor gripe that fails to take away from this fantastically rich body of work from some of gospel music's most significant forerunners.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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