An enjoyably diverse set of African-American gospel music from the late 1940s-early 1950s, edited by Chris Strachwitz. Some truly beautiful music here. Among my favorites are the infectious, uplifting numbers by the Bells of Joy, Archie Brownlee and Purcell Perkins trading leads on “All Aboard,” and Bessie Griffin’s stirring “Too Close,” recorded live-in-the-church.

Track listing:
Bessie Griffin – Too Close, Part 1
Nightingale Jubilaires – A Dying Veteran’s Plea
Madame Ernestine – While the Blood Runs Warm
Madame Ernestine – I’ll Never Turn Back
Davis Sisters – Bye and Bye, Part 1
Angelic Gospel Singers – Back to the Dust
Original Five Blind Boys – All Aboard
Five Blind Boys (Jackson Harmoneers) – He’s My Rock
Original Five Blind Boys – Thinking of God’s Goodness
Angelic Gospel Singers – Touch Me, Lord Jesus
Angelic Gospel Singers / Dixie Hummingbirds – Dear Lord, Look Down Upon Me
Dixiaires – Joe Louis is a Fightin’ Man
Bells of Joy – Stop Right Now (It’s Praying Time)
Bells of Joy – I’ll Work Lord
Bells of Joy – Since Jesus Changed this Heart of Mine
Zion Travelers – If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again
Christland Singers – Someday, Somewhere
Bessie Griffin – Too Close, Part 2