The feisty Hy-Tones Record label of Los Angeles is probably best known as the home of famed gospel preacher the Rev. Leo Daniels. But during the late 1960s and early ‘70s, Hy-Tone also released a number of first-rate gospel groups from across the U.S., including the Traveling Souls of Dallas, the Harp Tones of Cincinnati, and the Golden Hummingbirds of Birmingham.
One of my favorites, though, are the deeply soulful Melody Kings of Los Angeles. Led by songwriter and lead vocalist the Rev. William Combs, their two-sided 45 “I’m Going to Walk Through the Streets” is a superb example of deep-soul, deeply Southern gospel, complete with the impassioned mini-sermon about Combs’ beloved mother that opens the track.
MUSIC: Melody Kings of Los Angeles 45, “I’m Going to Walk Through the Streets” (November 19, 2023)
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.