Radio LBB: An Atheist’s Guide to Gospel Music
Cem Bayazit, senior creative at amp, delivers a sermon for the non-believers
While record shopping in London, I came across Frankie Knuckles’ coveted Lullaby Mix of Sounds of Blackness’ The Pressure Pt. II. Finally released on wax, it’s an incredibly emotive piece of music that builds in anticipation for six minutes, making me wonder how things have become so clinical and rushed on dancefloors today. Anyway, before I digress further, let’s get back to the topic at hand.
After dabbling into the Munich music scene, library records, the legacy of James Brown and jazz for our previous episodes, I was thinking about where to go with this one. The answer lied in the simplistic yet punchy cover of the above-mentioned record: 'An Atheists Guide to Gospel Music Vol. Two'. Capture the feeling of the holy spirit but make it dancefloor oriented.
Anybody who knows me is aware that I’m a staunch Atheist. The idea of putting your faith into a higher being never worked for me. Yet, Gospel records always find their way into my record bag despite my secular side trying to suppress it. After hearing these records, many of which are extremely rare, I think you will agree why.
Dance music has a deep connection to Gospel. David Mancuso, Larry Levan, and Ron Hardy all incorporated Gospel records into their legendary nights. Today many of my favourite DJs like Rahaan, Ge-ology, Sadar Bahar, and many more continue that tradition.
The reason why it works is evident: The lineage with soul music, the parallels between the church and the club, the uplifting harmonies, the expressive vocal performances, and of course the instrumentation. Where would House music be without the organ?!
Enjoy the Sunday service.
