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IN TIME FOR GOSPEL HERITAGE MONTH,

THE SET MARKS THE CULMINATION OF A SIX-MONTH CAMPAIGN CELEBRATING

THE PIONEERING STAX RECORDS IMPRINT

Available on vinyl, CD and digital formats, the compilation includes all 17 singles issued through the Gospel Truth label, including songs by The Rance Allen Group, Joshie Joe Armstead, Rev. Maceo Woods And The Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir, and Louise McCord, among others

 

Click here for online media kit

Click here to pre-order physical formats

Click here for digital format

Los Angeles, CA—Craft Recordings announces the release of The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection, a brand new, comprehensive compilation that spotlights The Gospel Truth Records—an imprint of the legendary soul label, Stax Records. Set for a November 13th release date and available digitally today, The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection includes all 17 singles – plus their respective B-sides – issued by the imprint between 1972 and 1974. Physical formats of the title, which can be pre-ordered now, include a two-CD set, as well as a vinyl edition. The three-LP set was pressed at Memphis Record Pressing and comes housed in a handsome triple-gatefold jacket.

The collection also includes in-depth liner notes from Jared Boyd, a Memphis-based journalist

and host of NPR's Beale Street Caravan, who captured new interviews with Stax Records

executive Al Bell, trailblazing gospel artist Rance Allen, and Mary Peak Patterson, who helped

establish The Gospel Truth Records label. In addition, exclusive bundles with a Gospel Truth T-shirt, plus a special gift with purchase (while supplies last), are available at the Stax online store.

Jared Boyd will be participating in an interactive conversation series titled Sips And Stanzas, hosted by The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), today in celebration of Gospel Music Heritage Month. The virtual discussion will revolve around The Gospel Truth history and current reissues. Join the event today at 4:30 p.m. CST/5:30 EST at NMAAM's Facebook page.

Throughout 2020, Craft Recordings has celebrated the legacy of the pioneering gospel imprint. Beginning in March, all 25 albums in The Gospel Truth's catalog were reissued digitally—most for the first time ever.  Now, as we celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month this September, The Complete Singles Collection completes the comprehensive rollout—not only including the label's biggest hits but also unearthing rare, non-album singles and songs from artists who never released full albums on the imprint.

Established in 1972, The Gospel Truth Records was conceived of by Al Bell, who enlisted the

help of leading blues and gospel promoter Dave Clark. Operating until Stax closed its doors in 1975, Gospel Truth signed a diverse collection of acts. As Jared Boyd recounts in his liner notes,  "there were the various uplifting arrangements of Chicago's Reverend Maceo Woods and his Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir. There were the evangelical harmonies of Bob Hemphill's Birmingham-based, all-white quintet, The Commanders. The label even made way for Blue Aquarius, a psychedelic orchestra donning an earnest agenda in support of a 15-year-old Indian guru..."

However, It all began with Gospel Truth's very first signing: Detroit's Rance Allen, who, along with his brothers, stood out with a unique sound that blended the messages of the gospel with the popular soul, R&B and rock stylings of the day.

The Gospel Truth's roster also included the likes of Rev. Jesse Jackson's People's Choir of Operation Push, who chronicled the Civil Rights struggle; Chicago vocal group 21st Century (who later scored a disco hit, "Tailgate," under the name of 21st Creation); soprano Louise McCord, whose cutting-edge message music was a highlight on the Wattstax Stage; and Operation Push soloist, and future Grammy nominee, Jacqui Verdell. Another signing was Joshie Joe Armstead—a backing singer for the likes of Ike and Tina Turner, James Brown, and B.B. King, and an acclaimed songwriter who not only wrote alongside Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson but also penned hits for Aretha Franklin, Ruby Andrews, and Carl Carlton.

Our hope with the re-release of this music is summed up by Stax's, Peak Patterson:

"We feel that Gospel music is an integral part of our heritage, and The Stax Organization is

conscious of its responsibility to bring the new Gospel to a larger stage, keeping the

message strong and pure while adding to its potency.

Click here to pre-order The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection.

Exclusive bundle with a Gospel Truth t-shirt plus a special gift with purchase (while supplies last) available at the Stax online store!

The Complete Gospel Truth Singles tracklist (3-LP Set)

LP1

Side A

  1. The Rance Allen Group - Just My Imagination (Just My Salvation)
  2. The Rance Allen Group - Up Above My Head
  3. Terry Lynn Community Choir - His Love Will Always Be
  4. Terry Lynn Community Choir - Consider Me
  5. Reverend W. Bernard Avant Jr. and The St. James Gospel Choir - Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You (Don't Let The Devil Fool You)
  6. Reverend W. Bernard Avant Jr. and The St. James Gospel Choir - God Is What You Let Him Be

Side B

  1. The Rance Allen Group - There's Gonna Be A Showdown
  2. The Rance Allen Group - That Will Be Good Enough For Me
  3. Reverend Maceo Woods and The Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir - The Magnificent Sanctuary Band (Marching For The Man)
  4. Reverend Maceo Woods and The Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir – Jesus Is Waiting
  5. Charles May & Annette May Thomas – Keep My Baby Warm
  6. Charles May & Annette May Thomas – Satisfied

LP2

Side A

  1. Joshie Joe Armstead – Ride Out The Storm
  2. Joshie Joe Armstead – I Got The Vibes
  3. The Rance Allen Group – I Got To Be Myself
  4. The Rance Allen Group – Gonna Make It Alright
  5. The 21stCentury – Who's Supposed To Be Raising Who
  6. The 21stCentury – If The Shoe Fits, Wear It

Side B

  1. The People's Choir Of Operation Push, Reverend Marvin Yancy – I'm A Child Of The King
  2. The People's Choir Of Operation Push, Reverend Marvin Yancy – He Included Me
  3. Jacqui Verdell – He's Mine
  4. Jacqui Verdell – We're Gonna Have A Good Time
  5. The Rance Allen Group – I Know A Man Who
  6. The Rance Allen Group – Hot Line To Jesus

LP3

Side A

  1. Blue Aquarius – At The Feet Of The Master
  2. Blue Aquarius – Know Him While You Can
  3. Joshie Joe Armstead – Stumblin' Blocks, Steppin' Stones (What Took Me So Long)
  4. Joshie Jo Armstead – Give A Little Loving

Side B

  1. Jimmy Jones – Do It Yourself
  2. Jimmy Jones – If I Had A Hammer
  3. The Rance Allen Group – Be True
  4. The Rance Allen Group – We're The Salt Of The Earth
  5. Louise McCord – Reflections
  6. Louise McCord – There's No Need To Cry

The Complete Gospel Truth Singles tracklist (2-CD Set)

Disc 1

  1. The Rance Allen Group - Just My Imagination (Just My Salvation)
  2. The Rance Allen Group - Up Above My Head
  3. Terry Lynn Community Choir - His Love Will Always Be
  4. Terry Lynn Community Choir - Consider Me
  5. Reverend W. Bernard Avant Jr. and The St. James Gospel Choir - Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You (Don't Let The Devil Fool You)
  6. Reverend W. Bernard Avant Jr. and The St. James Gospel Choir - God Is What You Let Him Be
  7. The Rance Allen Group - There's Gonna Be A Showdown
  8. The Rance Allen Group - That Will Be Good Enough For Me
  9. Reverend Maceo Woods and The Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir - The Magnificent Sanctuary Band (Marching For The Man)
  10. Reverend Maceo Woods and The Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir – Jesus Is Waiting
  11. Charles May & Annette May Thomas – Keep My Baby Warm
  12. Charles May & Annette May Thomas – Satisfied
  13. Joshie Joe Armstead – Ride Out The Storm
  14. Joshie Joe Armstead – I Got The Vibes
  15. The Rance Allen Group – I Got To Be Myself
  16. The Rance Allen Group – Gonna Make It Alright
  17. The 21st Century – Who's Supposed To Be Raising Who
  18. The 21st Century – If The Shoe Fits, Wear It

Disc 2

  1. The People's Choir Of Operation Push, Reverend Marvin Yancy – I'm A Child Of The King
  2. The People's Choir Of Operation Push, Reverend Marvin Yancy – He Included Me
  3. Jacqui Verdell – He's Mine
  4. Jacqui Verdell – We're Gonna Have A Good Time
  5. The Rance Allen Group – I Know A Man Who
  6. The Rance Allen Group – Hot Line To Jesus
  7. Blue Aquarius – At The Feet Of The Master
  8. Blue Aquarius – Know Him While You Can
  9. Joshie Joe Armstead – Stumblin' Blocks, Steppin' Stones (What Took Me So Long)
  10. Joshie Jo Armstead – Give A Little Loving
  11. Jimmy Jones – Do It Yourself
  12. Jimmy Jones – If I Had A Hammer
  13. The Rance Allen Group – Be True
  14. The Rance Allen Group – We're The Salt Of The Earth
  15. Louise McCord – Reflections
  16. Louise McCord – There's No Need To Cry 

About Stax Records:
One of the most popular soul labels of all time, Stax has become synonymous with its gritty, Southern sounds. Originally known as Satellite Records, the Memphis imprint was founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart. Over the course of two decades, Stax released more than 800 singles and nearly 300 LPs, picking up eight GRAMMYS® and an Academy Award along the way. In all, Stax placed more than 167 hit songs in the Top 100 pop charts, and a staggering 243 hits in the Top 100 R&B charts. For more info, visit StaxRecords.com and follow @StaxRecords on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Craft Recordings:
Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most prestigious collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its rich and storied repertoire includes legendary artists such as Joan Baez, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, Nine Inch Nails, Thelonious Monk, Otis Redding, R.E.M. and Traveling Wilburys, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Concord, Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Milestone, Musart, Nitro, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Sugar Hill, Vanguard, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover.

Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord Recorded Music. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.