From the infinitely fertile gospel hotbed that is Detroit, comes this self-pressed LP by the J & J Community Choir. Released in the late 1970s, the choir is centered around director and pianist Royal Lean Jamison and fiery organist Theodore Jeffries. On their lone album, Jamison and Jeffries compose a few originals, cover “I Love the Lord” by Richard Smallwood, and arrange several spirituals and older gospel hymns.
It’s all good, of course, but the highlight for me is the closing track, a righteous version of the hoary old chestnut “When the Saints Go Marching In.” And, because it is Detroit, the rolling basslines on this and every song are provided by the legendary Fred Hammond of Commissioned!
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.