Gospel Funk

In 1959, a woman by the name of Carmen Murphy attended a Good Friday mass in her home town of Detroit, as she did every year. Ms. Murphy, the proprietor of the city’s first salon for black women, known as House of Beauty, found herself particularly moved by the musical performances that evening. In fact, she was so inspired that she decided to convert the basement of her salon into a rehearsal space for local gospel acts. Later that year, she funded the recording of local gospel star Rev. James Cleveland, and HOUSE OF BEAUTY RECORDS was born.

Over the years House of Beauty was owned and operated by a number of different parent companies. It was during it’s time at SCEPTER RECORDS in New York (’64-’76) that the label grew both commercially and creatively. It slowly transformed from a rigidly traditional label, mostly featuring a capella quartets and choirs, to a company with eclectic tastes and broader musical horizons. Throughout the 70s the label became more accepting of secular influence on its music and slowly but surely, some of the recordings became straight up funky.

In the fall of 2008 SECRET STASH began working with a local business man who acquired the House of Beauty catalog some years back. Our mission was to sort through his mountain of master tapes, containing over 3,000 tracks, in search of rare, funky and soulful gems for vinyl reissue. After hundreds of hours we settled on a short list of material to press up on wax.
Gospel Funk may sound like an oxymoron to some, however, in the late 60s and throughout the 70s, many Gospel artists began moving their sound in a funkier direction. When you think about it, it’s really not that hard to imagine. Most of us know that soul music is deeply rooted in gospel. Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and even James Brown all hail from the world of gospel music. Is it really unimaginable that the gospel community would latch onto the progression of soul music that took place in the secular market?

This collection of Gospel Funk is raw, gritty, and packed full of breaks. The compositions are tastefully simple. The production is organic. And most of all, the music is undeniably funky.

A1. Christian Voice – Joyful Sound/Amazing Grace
A2. Victory Travelers (The) – Power Lord
A3. Rev. Milton Brunson – Play It By Ear
A4. Southland Singers – Trouble All Around Me
A5. Swan Silvertones (The) – If You Think Your God Is Dead, Try Mine
A6. Southland Singers – Serve The Lord

B1. New Testament (The) – New Testament
B2. Messiahs Of Glory (The) – Can't Find No Other Love
B3. Connie Pitts – Working People
B4. In Memory Of Stella Burke – Already Been In The Water
B5. New Testament (The) – New Testament Reprise [Instrumental]