Music Review: Various Artists, The Soul Of Designer Records

By Melissa Bratcher

Out now on Big Legal Mess Records, the four-CD, 101-song compilation The Soul Of Designer Records is flat out amazing. Between 1967 and 1977, Memphis-based Designer Records founder, the delightfully named Style Wooten, gave any group that wanted it a chance to record in his studio, using his studio musicians if they didn’t have their own, for the low price of $469.50. In exchange, the group would get 25 copies of their single to sell or distribute, and when those 25 were gone, they could re-up for another 25. Black gospel groups flocked to Memphis to record their 45s, and Designer Records became one of the most successful independent gospel labels in the States.

The Soul Of Designer Records collects many of these often mind-blowing gems into a box set that is the size of a vinyl gatefold album. There are voluminous liner notes about the enigmatic Style Wooten, the recording process, and an overview of Designer Records, as well as some biographical information on some, but not all, of the groups. Some groups remain obscure (or even obscurer).

The music is funky. Soulful. There are vocalists here with brilliant, amazing voices. The musical style shifts from straightforward gospel quartets backing fiery lead singers on the first disc, to the psychedelic wah wah’s of disc four.

Some groups pop up numerous times. The Jubilee Hummingbirds, still at it after celebrating their 65th anniversary in 2007, perform the slightly eerie “Stand By Me” with its warped tremolo guitar sounds and pulsing bass. The B-side, “Something Within Me” has a sassy rhythm guitar line and lively smart harmonies. O’Neal And The Dean Brothers are also repeat performers, with the loose, yet quiet, “I Am Going Home.” Cleoathah Dean’s voice is transcendent, here, but better yet on “The ABCs.” Funky and urgent, it made me want to dance as they described what made Jesus swell with each letter of the alphabet (“He is a quality God,” is a good one, though it seems like sometimes they were reaching a bit hard).

There are great songs here with brilliant bits. The Sensational Family Singers’ “I’ll Go” is exciting and upbeat, and vocalist Gilford Evans’s pronunciation of “Good Got Almighty” is truly wonderful. “Get Right With Jesus” by The Mighty Blytheville Aires sounds improvised by vocalist R. J. Banks, down to her “and-ah’s” between each line. Her voice is magnificent. “It’s Me Oh Lord Standing In The Need Of Prayer” by The Harps Of David swings and percolates with smart harmonies and a ‘50s beat. “I’ve Got The Love Of Jesus” by the Rev. Leon Hamner and the Holy City Travelers is completely charming. Crazy high harmonies, testifying vocals, sunny music, and the “I’ve got the Holy Ghoss” line make it fantastic. The Rev. Leon Hamner et. al’s “Only Jesus Knows” is great as well; nifty high harmonies, a funky backbeat, and a skiffle-like guitar sound make it stand out.

If John Waters made a religious movie, he could pull the entire soundtrack for it from The Soul Of Designer Records. It’s a consistently great compilation of little-heard treasures. There’s a ton of soul here, and more than a little funk. It’s a winner.

The Soul of Designer Records was released on September 30 by Big Legal Mess Records.