V/A - World Spirituality Classics 2: The Time For Peace Is Now LP (Luaka Bop)
V/A - World Spirituality Classics 2: The Time For Peace Is Now LP (Luaka Bop)
The Time For Peace Is Now provides a snapshot of a unique scene: a funky, secular strain of gospel that sprung up at the end of the music’s first golden age (post-WWII to the death of Martin Luther King Jr.) and in the wake of the commercial and cultural impact of The Staple Singers. The songs and singers on this collection are influenced by a heady mix of The Mighty Clouds Of Joy and Sly and the Family Stone, and released on small vanity labels with names like Lovie D, Du-Vern, Sen-oj, and Arc-Bel-Kno. While they struggled to get the attention of major labels, the artists — The Triumphs, The Gospel I.Q.’s, The Floyd Family Singers and many more — thrived on the gospel live circuit, and some are still performing to this day.
The Time For Peace Is Now was compiled by renowned soul DJ Greg Belson, and the liners include special essays from New York Times Best-selling author Jonathan Lethem (whose introductory notes are below), gospel expert Robert F. Darden and Pastor Keith L. Whitney, the Pastor of Sanctuary Fellowship Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
1. The Little Shadows – Time For Peace – 4:45
2. Rev. Harvey Gates – It’s Hard To Live In This Old World – 2:59
3. The Floyd Family Singers – That’s A Sign Of The Times – 3:09
4. Willie Scott & The Birmingham Spirituals – Keep Your Faith To The Sky – 5:06
5. James Bynum – We Are In Need – 3:55
6. The Religious Souls – Condition The World Is In – 3:42
7. The Triumphs – We Don’t Love Enough – 3:34
8. The Gospel I.Q.’s – Peace In The Land – 2:55
9. Staples Jr. Singers – We Got A Race To Run – 3:04
10. The Soul Stirrers – I’m Trying To Be Your Friend – 3:16
11. Willie Dale – Let Your Light Shine – 3:30
12. Rev. Harvey Gates – Price Of Love – 2:59
13. The Mighty Reverlaires – Sunshine After Every Rain – 2:38
14. The William Singers – Don’t Give Up – 3:00