For any of you Chin Chin fans out there (or soon to be Chin Chin fans) an important fact to know about Wilder Schwartz - lead singer of said funky outfit - is that he is a very successful collecter of rare vinyl. This is his first blog, read and learn....

Artist: Gloster Williams And The King James Version
Title: Together
Label: Gospel Roots 5005


I think there's no better way to start this off than with an inspirational, wholesome, blessed goodie. "Gloster Williams And The King James Version: Together" is much more than just a gospel music record. It's more of a sophisticated gospel music movement with segues, interludes, and monologues in between the full length songs. It's rare that you find a gospel studio record that is more than just a slab of tunes. As for the music itself? A superb meshing of mid 70's r&b and soul with righteous positive religious themes; "He Loves You", "Together", "Touch My Life", etc.

The music on this record really grooves with a high level of musicianship. The guitarist, Criss Johnson or Michael Powell, is constantly sprinkling tasteful, jazzy riffs and licks. But really it's the bass. The bass is everywhere, flying all over the place, yet never ceasing to groove. There are two bassists, Bernard McGee and E. L. Johnson, credited on the record and they both are of equal note. Nasty. Even when Gloster Williams, composer, arranger, and keyboardist takes over the bass seat on one song with his left hand on an organ, the band continues to fly.The vocal arrangements are also exceptional. Using five female vocalists, Williams arranges these interlocking, rhythmically unconventional vocal harmonies very effectively over instrumental vamps at the end of most of the songs.

It appears this was the first of only three records that Williams made under his own name, all on different record labels and all hard to find. This record is on the label Gospel Roots which was a gospel subsidiary of T. K. Records out of Florida. He can be found as a producer and arranger on a number of records by gospel artists right up to present day. With "Together", Gloster Williams creates very lush, full, warm tracks that make any day better.