Reviewed by Paddy Hudspith

SPV's Blue Label has made something of a name for itself by making archival roots, blues and gospel material more widely available, and 'Bullet Records Gospel' continues the high quality output. Featuring artists who began making music as far back as the 1930s, this CD compiles tracks originally released on vinyl (obviously, so the sonic quality is varied throughout) by the likes of Rev H L Parker, Famous Jubilee Singers, The Dixie Travelers (sic) and The Fairfield Four who started together in 1921 and are still singing today, recently having been showcased in the Coen brother's 2001 movie O Brother Where Art Thou? There are useful detailed liner notes about all the acts on the compilation, focusing on, but not limited to, their time spent with the Bullet Records label. One of the most fascinating factors in "listening back" to early gospel like this, is spotting what I call "echoes of the future" which prove the through-line from this to later pop/soul. For example, check out the opening bars of The Dixie Travelers' "We Need Jesus" and tell me they're not a dead ringer for Marvin Gaye's take on "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", or listen to unknown Ruth Zion and it's like hearing latter-day Aretha Franklin! A classy collection.

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