The Best of the Rance Allen Group

by The Rance Allen Group, Rance Allen

Overview

Infusing traditional gospel music with Memphis soul, Detroit-based singer Rance Allen helped pave the way for the secularized gospel sound of the '80s and '90s. After signing with Stax in 1969, Allen and his group proceeded to bring their hip brand of gospel to the masses by scoring several chart hits and opening concerts for the likes of Isaac Hayes. This hits package covers the group's successful run in the '70s, spotlighting Allen's incredibly flexible and powerful voice (one listens to cuts like "Ain't No Need of Crying" and "Gonna Make It Alright" and it's easy to figure out where Prince picked up his misty falsetto from). The selections include Allen's biggest Stax hit, "I Got to Be Myself," the spiritually reconfigured cover "Just My Imagination (Just My Salvation)," and modern gospel pioneer James Cleveland's "That Will Be Enough for Me." Allen contributes a handful of slick and spirited groovers, like "I Give My All To You" and "I Belong to You," and even goes in for a little disco on another original, "Smile" (considering Allen's devout nature, it's hard to tell if the more commercial elements in the music came from him or hit-minded producers). A bit of unintentional humor also finds its way into the set, with the raucous cut "Hot Line to Jesus." This spirited collection makes Allen's love of the music plain and offers a fine introduction to both his work and to the "new," yet (historically speaking) ancient mix of religious and secular black music. ~ Stephen Cook

Product Details

Release Date:	07/01/1991
Label:	Stax
UPC:	0025218854023
Rank:	72581

Tracks

1. Ain't No Need of Crying
2. Just My Imagination (Just My Salvation)
3. (There's Gonna Be A) Showdown
4. That Will Be Good Enough for Me
5. Hot Line to Jesus
6. Gonna Make It Alright
7. I Belong to You
8. I Give My All to You
9. Heaven Is Where the Heart Is
10. Smile
11. I Got to Be Myself
12. I Know a Man Who

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Rance Allen Group   Primary Artist
Rance Allen   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

William C. Brown III   Composer
Dave Clark   Composer
Ronnie Williams   Composer
Sir Mack Rice   Composer
Steve Allen   Composer
Kenny Gamble   Composer
Barrett Strong   Composer
Carl William Smith   Composer
The Rance Allen Group   Group,Performer
A. Smith   Composer
James Cleveland   Composer
Booker T. Jones   Composer
David Porter   Composer
Leon Huff   Composer
Rance Allen   Composer
Norman Whitfield   Composer