Gospel news

TIME LIFE MUSIC & GOSPEL LEGEND BOBBY JONES TEAM UP FOR “THE ULTIMATE GOSPEL” 7-CD BOX SET

Album covers for 'Ultimate Gospel.'

Time Life Music has just released The Bobby Jones Presents Ultimate Gospel, a box set of seven CDs spanning the history of black gospel music. Dr. Jones, the host of BET’s top-rated Bobby Jones Gospel variety TV show for almost 30 years, is the host of the half-hour “Ultimate Gospel Collection” TV special currently running on BET and BET J with guest artists Tramaine Hawkins and Smokie Norful. “I am extremely excited about The Ultimate Gospel Collection,” says Dr. Jones, who is also the U.S. Ambassador to Dominica. “This collection provides me with another opportunity to expose the wonderful gospel music that is available to the world. Time Life is a great company and their influence can be felt around the world. I am so happy that they gave me the opportunity to present my friends to the global reach of Gospel Music.” 

The gift box is divided into seven CDs. The 20-song Peace in the Valley volume features 1950s hits such as Mahalia Jackson’s “In the Upper Room.” The 16-song Oh Happy Day set boasts gospel crossover hits by the Staple Singers and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. The In the Spirit suite revisits 15 inspiring classics by Sounds of Blackness and others. The I Need You Now set includes 15 tracks from EMI Gospel’s vaults such as Aaron Neville’s “A Change is Gonna Come” and CeCe Winans’ “I Surrender All.” Then, there’s the 30- song More Than A Melody compilation with tunes ranging from Al Green’s “Precious Lord” to a rare remix of Kirk Franklin’s R&B smash “Stomp.” Testify is another 30-song set boasting rarities such as Alabama State Mass Choir’s “My Soul Got Another Dip” and favorites such as Fred Hammond’s “Glory to Glory.” Finally, Body + Soul Gospel is a 24-song album featuring R&B artists such as Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men and Patti Labelle performing their favorite inspirational or gospel songs. 

Meanwhile, Time-Life and BET J continue to make beautiful music together. Their recent releases of Voices: The Ultimate Gospel Choir Collection and Going Up Yonder: The Best of the Gospel Choirs are astounding successes thanks in part to a very broad BET and BET J television commercial campaign. The Voices CD recently debuted at #6 on the Billboard gospel album sales chart and continues to sell briskly. Visit www.timelife.com for more information on all of their gospel collections.