Vinyl Digest, Vol.3: Gospel Soul

Vinyl Digest is a series of reference books, each devoted to a specific musical genre, movement, or culturaltheme, featuring hundreds of carefully selected records accompanied by concise, well-researched commentary that offers both historical and musical context.

Conceived by record collectors for music fanatics, each book is written by leading minds in their genre, sharing years of experience in the field and behind the decks. At a time when print is a crucial part of the preservation and celebration of physical media, we have designed a visually appealing, utilitarian reference tool that can sit proudly alongside your record collection.

Created by Manu Boubli and Eilon Paz, Vinyl Digest is published by Dust & Grooves Editions, a book and online publication platform founded in 2008 by Eilon Paz, connecting a global community of record collectors and analog souls.

Vinyl Digest, Vol.3: Gospel Soul:

400 essential gospel soul records, selected and annotated by Greg Belson, DJ, compiler, and host of The Divine Chord Gospel Show on dublab and Divine Discotheque on Soho Radio. Seven chapters move through boogie, disco, choir, funk, modern soul, soul and vocal harmony, with rarity scores, collector’s checkboxes and full-color original artwork throughout.

As a distinct genre, gospel music took shape in the early twentieth century. Guided by songwriter and pianist Thomas A. Dorsey, the combination of sacred hymnal lyrics with the emotional power and rhythmic drive of blues and jazz created a new sound. Throughout the century, gospel soul was increasingly influenced by secular sounds, dividing conservative audiences but creating legends like Sam Cooke, the Staple Singers, and later, Al Green.