Pastor T.L. Barrett & The Youth For Christ Choir: Like A Ship - Without A Sail [NUMERO]

Why you'll love it

Numero Group's reissue brings back a record Barrett first put out himself in 1971. Chess veteran Gene Barge arranged it, with Chicago session men Phil Upchurch and Richard Evans in the band, so the funk runs as deep as the faith.

About the album

Gospel records don't usually come with a groove this heavy. Thomas Lee Barrett Jr. became pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side in 1968, built a youth ministry around a choir of young voices, and began recording them there. What came out was church music cut with the city's soul and funk, played by some of Chicago's best session hands.

The title song sets the tone, a slow, swelling plea that climbs higher with every pass of the choir. "Wonderful" and "It's Me O Lord" swing with real joy, "Nobody Knows" rides a tough, rolling rhythm, "Joyful Noise" lives up to its name, and "Blessed Quietness" closes the album in a hush. Barrett leads from the piano and the pulpit, and the choir answers like a single voice.

Numero featured "Like a Ship" on its Good God! Born Again Funk compilation in 2010, and a Steph Curry commercial later put "Nobody Knows" in front of millions. It took a basketball advert to send the world back to it, and we're not too proud to be glad of the assist.

Also at Kops: more Pastor T.L. Barrett on vinyl · browse Classic Soul

Tracklist

Listen

On Numero Group (cat# NUM1271), a reissue of the 1971 album.