Malaco says ‘YES’ To Quartets; Honors Legends With Signings

Jackson, MS. - In recent years, the gospel music industry has seen a general downturn in the popularity of quartet music. Though a few groups have made headlines, most have continued to toil hard without significant notice, relying on live performances rather than record sales to get by. Malaco Records, a gospel industry icon, is stepping up to the plate and hoping to help some of the industry’s classiest acts hit a few more home runs.

In February 2007, Malaco will launch its “Yes! Quartet” campaign, following close on the heels of signing three well known gospel quartets to its label, Slim & The Supreme Angels, Spencer Taylor & The Highway QCs, and True Believers. The campaign will include the release of eight new quartet projects from the Malaco roster, using a blend of legendary artists and rising stars. These releases include the works of: The Sensational Nightingales, The Pilgrim Jubilees, The Jackson Sisters, Slim and the Supreme Angels, Spencer Taylor and the Highway QCs, and True Believers. A compilation project, Yes! Quartet, pictured above right, will also be released as a companion to the eight CD set and includes cuts from each of them.

When asked “Why Quartets?” D.A. Johnson, Director of the Gospel Division at Malaco Records, said this, “Yes! Quartet is the beginning of a campaign to energize quartet music in the gospel industry. Malaco’s history is filled with some of the greatest legends in quartet music, such as: The Jackson Southernaires, Willie Neal Johnson, Willie Banks, The Soul Stirrers and others. Many quartets today don’t have the support of a label and With Yes! Quartet, we have begun to lead quartet music home again (to Malaco) by bringing the best to our label so they can reach their quartet fans.”

Tommy Couch, Sr., President of Malaco Music Group, joins Johnson with his remarks, “In the early days, we were first known for having the best in Quartet music and have long been known as having the best in choir music (The Mississippi Mass, The Georgia Mass). It’s seems natural to continue in that tradition by hiring one of quartet music’s leading producers, Darrell Luster (The Sensational Nightingales) to work with us on the Yes! Quartet campaign. We look forward to introducing the best in new quartet music every February, during Black History Month.”