In 1971, then-27-year-old Chicago-based pastor T.L. Barrett and his 45-member Youth for Christ Choir (whose members were all between the ages of 12 and 19), independently released the groundbreaking album Like a Ship (Without a Sail). Its resonant meld of Black gospel with contemporary sounds emerging from soul, R&B, and funk made it a holy grail among record collectors. It and subsequent 1970s releases by Barretts group have been sampled by artists including DJ Khaled, Kanye West, T.I., Leon Bridges, and others. Chicagos Numero Group finally presents the work of Pastor T.L. Barret & the Youth for Christ Choir in proper context. I Shall Wear a Crowns five LPs contain the ensembles four original albums -- 1971s Like a Ship (Without a Sail), 1974s Do Not Pass Me By, Vol. 1 and 2 (1976), and 1973s I Found the Answer -- alongside singles and sermon excerpts. Across 49 tracks, Barrett juxtaposes social and racial commentary with biblical parables in what were then Black musics most popular stylistic vernaculars. His God lives here and now, where you see and experience life, and especially in other human beings. The most poignant moments from Like a Ship (Without a Sail) are the title track, Nobody Knows, and Its Me O Lord; both redemption and edification are dispensed in the joyful affirmations of the singers, as a balm for human suffering. Do Not Pass Me By, Vol. 1 contains the tender original version of Father I Stretch My Hands, the joyous funk of After the Rain, and the inspiring, soul-stirring rave-up So Many Years. Do Not Pass Me By, Vol. 2 offers the house-rocking I Shall Wear a Crown (it walks a musical line between Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone), the soaring, blissed-out soul-gospel of I Want to Be in Love with You, and the bumping pre-disco funk of Jesus, Lover of My Soul. I Found the Answer delivers the celebratory Sunday-morning stomp of What Would You Give, the gritty, funky, organ- and horn-drenched gospel of Shine on Me, and the strolling psychedelic soul of Turn On with Jesus. The singles LP contains a jazzy uptown funk version of the Lords Prayer and a deeply resonant choral version of My Country Tis of Thee. The sermons disc offers multiple excerpts from two electrifying live-in-church pulpit appearances in the prophetic Dry Bones in the Valley and the scorching exhortation to holiness, voting, and persistence of How Would You Like to Have a Nice Hawaiian Punch? Both feature enthusiastic support from a sweeping B-3 organ and a fierce, testifying congregation. I Shall Wear a Crown is handsomely packaged, containing a massive booklet with rare photos, record cover reproductions, and an exhaustive 10,000-word historical/discographical liner essay. This collection illustrates Barretts theology ecstatically, emotionally, and spiritually. Even if his evangelical message isnt one the listener can appreciate, the music here more than compensates; it will move, soothe, lift and edify anyone who encounters it. ~ Thom Jurek

Rovi