GOSPEL BOOGIE: SAM DAVIS AND THE GOSPEL ENSEMBLE

SAM DAVIS AND THE GOSPEL ENSEMBLE- KEEP ON PRAISING HIM- LP- CADA RECORDS- 1981
Another genre of music I used to not check for was gospel. I was brought up Catholic, albeit very liberally, but it was a semi-traumatic experience nonetheless, so the idea that people could make good, or even funky music in a religious environment was entirely foreign to me. That is until I worked up the strength to check out a few gospel records that I was told were dope. It takes a little time getting used to hearing people sing about Jesus over some funky music, but I figured that I've been listening to obscenity laced hip-hop music for my entire life, so I can handle a little church talk in my music as well. The title track to this LP is dope enough to convert, no pun intended, even the most stubborn listener with a super funky bassline, some crispy claps, and nice piano chords. Check it out a slightly shortened version of "Keep On Praising Him" below. And by the way, I got a copy of this LP up on ebay this week (a little shameless self promotion).

Montage Project One

Private press LP out of Wisconsin, produced by M.L. Productions out of West Allis, WI (a suburb of the great city of Milwaukee) recorded and released in 1978. This LP has a great jazz-funk-soul feel, enhanced on most tracks, by the vocals of lead singer Marcia Cunningham. The real burner on the album is a mostly instrumental song entitled "Bahia Honda", a funky, uptempo jazz track with some real nice Latin-flavored vocal harmonies and lots of changes throughout the track. Reminds me a little of "Brazilian Love Affair" era George Duke material, but without as much synthwork and a little less obvious in Brazilian influence. The band's focus on percussion and rhythm is felt throughout as all the tracks move nicely. Recommended for those who can get there hands on it. Listen to "Bahia Honda" below.

MP3- "Bahia Honda"