1980 The Southern Four “Who Is The Stranger” on Champ Records

Well, friends, there is worship music as a general concept, with every possibly permutation and instrumentation, that has existed as long as we have. Then there is gospel. Then there is Hard Gospel. Then there is Hard Southern Gospel. And THEN there is Hard Southern Soulful Boogie Gospel, and THAT is where I cash my checks. The organ, the bass, the vocal harmonics, the chorus, the choruses, the horn section, and the testifying. What Jesus can be praised for, what he wants from me and you, how he’s going to get it, what you better do to make sure you’re on the right side of history. What your actual theological beliefs are or are not comprised of is irrelevant. Can you feel the passion, the honesty, the genuineness, the conduit to something higher than yourself, even if it’s just an ultra-funky snare hit? For my money, there’s a lot of Hard Gospel slept upon that is WAY better than many hyped funk or soul grails, and “Who Is The Stranger” is a perfect example of a thrift score cauldron of boogie gold. I LOVE this record. Tight, righteous, no nonsense pure Detroit Sunday action led by Rev. T.W. Minox, who has a voice like a Husqvarna cutting through a stand of Michigan pine. Oh lord YEA.