A jazz mass, but unlike any other variation on the theme that's ever been recorded – thanks to a very righteous performance from James Tatum – who makes the whole thing feel much more like an organic spiritual jazz set than anything you'd ever find in a church! James himself plays both Fender Rhodes and piano – at the helm of a progressive combo from the Detroit underground of the early 70s – a group that features soprano sax from Theodore Buckner, trumpet from Judge Gray, tenor and alto from Louis Barnett, and trombone from Norman O'Gara – all lesser-known players, but who work beautifully alongside James' lead! The Fender Rhodes work is wonderful – as great as you'll find on any other record of the time – and there's also two singers who add to the sound – but step out at all the right moments to let the solos open up. Titles include "Gloria", "Offertory", "Holy Holy Holy", "Amen", "Lamb Of God", and "Communion" – but the overall sound is way more than you'd expect from those titles! (Jazz, Gospel) LP, Vinyl record album

A really fantastic album from the Dedicated Men Of Zion – a contemporary gospel group, but one who work here with small combo backings that take us back to some of our favorite records of the early 70s – a tremendous blend of spiritual message and very down-to-earth arrangements! The quartet have some fantastic harmonies throughout, and get support from the Sacred Soul Sound Section – a funk combo who use plenty of organ and riffing guitar, which gives the heavenly vocals a nice degree of humanity – on titles that include "The Devil Don't Like It", "Lord Hold My Hand", "A Change Is Gonna Come", "I'm Going Home", "Up Above My Head", "I'm A Soldier In God's Army", and "One River To Cross". CD

Contemporary sounds from the legendary Parchman Prison farm in Mississippi – once home to musical blues and jazz legends in the 20th Century, and open to visits from creative talents and photographers – but which has been much more closed off in recent years, which maybe makes this collection even more important than some of the classic efforts to showcase the talents at Parchman in the postwar years! The music is spiritual, but with a feel that's very different than more mainstream gospel – very intimate and personal, as the voices of these young men rise up together in a beautifully unified spirit – almost acapella, but with some occasional piano or organ. Titles include "Break Every Chain", "Open The Eyes Of My Heart", "I Give Myself Away", "Step Into The Water", "Lay My Burden Down", and "Solve My Need". CD

Contemporary sounds from the legendary Parchman Prison farm in Mississippi – once home to musical blues and jazz legends in the 20th Century, and open to visits from creative talents and photographers – but which has been much more closed off in recent years, which maybe makes this collection even more important than some of the classic efforts to showcase the talents at Parchman in the postwar years! The music is spiritual, but with a feel that's very different than more mainstream gospel – very intimate and personal, as the voices of these young men rise up together in a beautifully unified spirit – almost acapella, but with some occasional piano or organ. Titles include "Break Every Chain", "Open The Eyes Of My Heart", "I Give Myself Away", "Step Into The Water", "Lay My Burden Down", and "Solve My Need". LP, Vinyl record album