Rance Allen Group - A Soulful Experience (Truth 1975) / Say My Friend (Capitol 1977)Although all real soul music originated in the church, the first artists to truly blend soul and gospel music were the mighty Rance Allen Group. Signed to Stax in the early 70s, their output was released on the subsidiary Gospel Truth label with the pinnacle of their releases being the aptly titled album A Soulful Experience. Co-written and produced by the mercurial talents of David Porter, the album contains uplifting gems such 'Ain't No Need of Crying', 'I Give My All to You' and 'The Painter', as well as the near-ten minute epic opener "Ring My Bell" and funky break-laden 'Talk That Talk (parts 1 &2)'. As things started to get shaky at Stax, the Allen brothers snagged a deal with Capitol and delivered the equally wonderful album Say My Friend. This was a masterful collaboration with the legendary Mizell Brothers, Larry and Fonce, who themselves had been fusing genres. The Mizells had already successfully blended soul and jazz to create a new distinctive sound with artists such as Donald Byrd, Johnny Hammond, Bobbi Humphrey and Gary Bartz. Herein they created the underground classics 'Peace of Mind' and 'Truth Is Marching On' as well as the heavenly 'Reason To Survive', all exposing Rance’s immense vocal powers to the full. Essential groundbreaking gospel-soul music.
