In 1971, Pastor T.L. Barrett was 27 and leading the congregation at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Chicago as well as its Youth for Christ choir, a 40-member ensemble of kids ages 12-19. With the help of legendary guitarist Phil Upchurch, among others, Barrett and his choir recorded the classic gospel album Like a Ship (Without a Sail), which is revered by musicians and has been sampled by hip hop luminaries.
We feature here the album’s title track, which sounds like an outtake from Gil Scott-Heron’s Pieces of a Man had Heron been backed by an exuberant choir. This is deep, ethereal and reflective music topped by a nuanced and gifted lead vocal, presumably that of Barrett himself. Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk
