Shanachie Records, known for its diverse roster of roots, smooth jazz and Americana music releases over the last 31 years, is making a strong foray into gospel music.

After years of releasing traditional gospel albums by Marion Williams and various obscure but critically acclaimed gospel artists, Shanachie Records began to delve into contemporary, commercial gospel music a couple of years ago with successful releases by music legends Candi Staton and Ann Nesby.

Their project “African Spirit” by the Soweto Gospel Choir won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best World Music album.

Now, Shanachie Records has introduced a collection of popular, rare and out-of-print praise and worship classics by some of the genre’s biggest names.

A Praise & Worship Celebration is a joyous church service set to music. The set opens with a Pentecostal shout with Cleveland-bred singer/pianist Liz McComb’s scorching seven minute praise break known as “Come on in This House,” which she recorded live at Paris’ Olympia Theater in 1990 before a crowd of over 2,000 screaming French folks.

But, it’s not always about shouting in this genre. There are quiet, contrite moments by Donnie McClurkin, the Shekinah Glory Ministry and Bishop Paul S. Morton and the Full Gospel Baptist Mass Choir. Vickie Winans, who is known for her high-energy performances, exercises restraint and penitence on the smooth “More Than Enough.” Bryan Wilson, equally known for his vigor and vocal gyrations on songs such as “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” shows a more refined tone on the new chestnut, “A Secret Place,” a duet with his mother, Sheila Wilson.

Then, there are those feverish Pentecostal moments where the Tommies and Smokie Norful have church on “He’s All I Need.” When Vicki Yohe, a natural blonde from Louisiana, first came on the gospel scene, audiences thought she was a black woman until they started to see her pictures. On “Because of Who You Are” she shows the soul that caused the initial confusion. Finally, three pillars of praise and worship close the project. Ron Kenoly, Martha Munizzi and Judy Jacobs ends the project with rousing, triumphant, celebratory paeans.

More… For more on A Praise and Worship Celebration, Log on to www.shanachie.com for more information.

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