The Evolution of Gospel

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The Evolution of Gospel
The Evolution of Gospel.jpg
Studio album by
Released1991
RecordedSeptember 1989–January 1991
Genre Gospel, new jack swing [1]
Length62:19
Label Perspective, A&M
Producer Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Sounds of Blackness chronology
The Evolution of Gospel
(1991)
The Night Before Christmas: A Musical Fantasy
(1992)
Singles from The Evolution of Gospel
  1. "Optimistic"
    Released: 1991
  2. "The Pressure Pt. 1"
    Released: 1991
  3. "Testify"
    Released: 1992
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Calgary Herald B [2]

The Evolution of Gospel is the debut studio album by Sounds of Blackness, released in 1991. [3] In 1992, the album received the Grammy Award for "Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album".

Contents

Track listing

#TitleLengthComposer(s)Producer(s)Lead Vocalist(s)
1"Chains"1:02Gary HinesGary HinesCarrie Harrington
2"Optimistic"5:19Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis Ann Bennett-Nesby, Carrie Harrington, Coré Cotton, Patricia Lacy, Jamecia Bennett
3"Ah Been Workin' "0:42Gary HinesGary HinesDorothy J. Townes
4"The Pressure Pt. 1"6:04Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry LewisGary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry LewisAnn Bennett-Nesby
5"Testify"4:58Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry LewisGary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry LewisAnn Bennett-Nesby, Andre Shepard
6"Gonna Be Free One Day"0:37Gary HinesGary HinesOtis Montgomery
7"Stand"4:25 Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart Gary HinesAnn Bennett-Nesby, Prof. T
8"The Pressure Pt. 2"5:42Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry LewisGary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry LewisAnn Bennett-Nesby
9"Your Wish Is My Command"5:01Tim Wortham, Gary Hines, Tony HaynesGary HinesAnn Bennett-Nesby
10"Hallelujah Lord!"1:44Carrie Harrington, Gary HinesGary Hines
11"We Give You Thanks"6:16Gary HinesGary HinesAnn Bennett-Nesby
12"He Holds the Future"5:01Gary HinesGary HinesAnn Bennett-Nesby, Carrie Harrington, Prof. T
13"What Shall I Call Him?"4:04Gary HinesGary HinesAnn Bennett-Nesby, Patricia Lacy, Elizabeth J. Turner
14"Better Watch Your Behavior"1:54Gary HinesGary Hines
15"Please Take My Hand"4:37Gary HinesGary HinesAnn Bennett-Nesby
16"I'll Fly Away"3:49 Albert E. Brumley Gary HinesShirley Marie Graham
17"Harambee (Swahili for 'Let Us All Pull Together')"1:04Gary HinesGary Hines

Chart positions

Album

YearChartPeak
1991The Billboard 200#176
1991Top Gospel Albums#12
1991Top R&B Albums#4

Singles

"Optimistic"

YearChartPeak
1991Dance Music/Club Play Singles#17
1991Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales#17
1991Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks#3

"The Pressure Pt. 1"

YearChartPeak
1991Dance Music/Club Play Singles#1
1991Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales#3
1991Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks#17

"Testify"

YearChartPeak
1992Dance Music/Club Play Singles#7
1992Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales#14
1992Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks#12

References

  1. 1 2 Birchmeier, Jason. Review: The Evolution of Gospel. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2009-12-11.
  2. Obee, Dave (1991-06-02). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald .
  3. Beckford, Robert (2023). Decolonizing Contemporary Gospel Music Through Praxis. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 88.