Light Records Gospel Legacy Series

The Christianaires who keep it in the family, two brothers Paul & Tyrone Porter, and two cousins Arnold & Ronald Brown, are another vocal ensemble with a vibrant stage presence similar to the Clouds. Their recorded résumé started in the nineties weaving a modern but sophisticated touch to the traditional quartet tradition, beginning with Rev. James Cleveland’s Two Wings. The riveting testimonial cut, You’ve Been So Good, is a touching thank-you to the Lord from Paul Porter who suffered a stroke. Another special moment is the tribute towards gospel radio, the appropriately titled, Radio Angels.

Several chapters have been written in The Blind Boys of Alabama’s musical legacy. The latest leg of their journey began in the early nineties on Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records with Spirit of the Century, and the wheels keep on turning to this day. A majority of this CD spotlights mid-nineties releases on Light’s distributor, Compedia. It’s hard to choose from the masters of fundamental gospel quartet singing, but for starters, try the New Orleans flavored, If I Had A Hammer, the Acapella Listen To The Lambs, and the twisting harmonies splashing down on Didn’t It Rain.

The high profile vocal band, Commissioned, introduced the gospel world to Michael Brooks, Marvin Sapp, and Fred Hammond during the eighties. This R&B/gospel unit spent a bulk of their time with Light Records and its distributor Compedia before switching to Verity Records in the late nineties. While the group tends to funk it out from time to time, most of the CD centers on their worshipful ballads that spotlighted their smooth harmonies, including Go Tell Somebody, Running Back to You, and a live recording with just piano accompaniment of Will You Be Ready?

It’s commendable for Light Records in presenting gospelteers who left an imprint in today’s contemporary landscape. However, there are a few bumps, especially with the liner notes that do not list the album title, lead vocals, or other pertinent information as to why the song was inclusive. Most commentary in those notes were contributed by Bill Carpenter from Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Experience, but some songs included in the compilation are not listed in the abbreviated commentary. That aside, the package is a worthwhile listen with a suitable amount of material per each representation.