SOME STUFFS: Daptone take on the holy ghost with new album

A label known for its soul, funk, and Afro-rhythms will have to eventually take it back to the church, where much of these styles originated. The guys at Daptone Records went looking for gospel and they found themselves in the South with singers and musicians who were more than willing to share their faith and spirituality in song. I can't imagine how difficult it was to edit these performance to create an "ideal album" but that's just what they did in what will be known as Como Now: The Voices of Panola County, MS, to be released on August 19th.

The album (which I'll have a review of next week) features hints of the past with the passion of the people living today. Even if, like me, you are not of the faith, one cannot help but admire their devotion and be moved by the power they convey through their music. Here is the confirmed track listing:

* 1. When the gates swing open - Mary Moore
* 2. It's Alright - The John Edwards Singers
* 3. Can See So Much - Brother and Sister Walker
* 4. Jesus Builds a Fence Around Me - Della Daniels and Ester Mae Smith
* 5. Trouble In My Way - Como Mamas Featuring Mary Moore
* 6. If It Had Not Been for Jesus - Irene Stevenson
* 7. What Would I Do - Brother and Sister Walker
* 8. New Burying Ground - The John Edwards Singers
* 9. God's Unchanging Hand - Como Mamas featuring Mary Moore
* 10. I Can't Afford to Let my Saviour Down - Rev. Robert Walker
* 11. Talk with Jesus - The Jones Sisters
* 12. Lil' Old Church House - Irene Stevenson
* 13. Send Me I'll Go - Como Mamas featuring Mary Moore
* 14. Help Me to Carry On - Brother and Sister Walker
* 15. Move Upstairs - Della Daniels and Ester Mae Smith
* 16. Somebody Here Needs You Lord - Mary Moore

The singing and musicians are all brothers, sisters, cousins, fathers, mothers, and friends, a tradition that continues even though the pop mainstream tells you that "the best" groups are manufactured and put together by record label CEO's. If you take a listen to a wide range of country, blues, and gospel compilations featuring recordings from the first half of the 20th century, it was families and regions that gave everyone a distinct sound, with harmonies you would not find in the next town three miles away. But these recordings are not taken from old 78's, this is a modern day album. If you're not moved by that fact alone, prepare to be.