The album is entitled Classic, and Reliant Records has one on their hands, as hit after hit from Gospel trailblazer DeWitt Johnson is revived on a single disc.

Co-founder of the renowned B.C. & M. Mass Choir while still in his teens, Johnson also went on to establish The Johnson Ensemble, both choirs releasing multiple albums predominantly on the Creed, New Birth and Savoy labels, and known for their innovation in interpreting traditional Gospel in a contemporary package.

Johnson currently leads a praise team at Bishop G.E. Patterson’s Temple of Deliverance COGIC in Memphis, and has ventured into television musical ministry.

On Classic, there’s a full twelve tracks of memory jog, starting with the energetic choir riser and first-ever theme songs from Bobby Jones Gospel, “(Glad To Be In God’s Service) One More Time”, sung by The Johnson Ensemble.

From there, the collection is diverse, with several hits pulled from multiple albums and including all of Johnson’s choir associations.

Busy Hammond B3, piano and live drums freely mingle with intense choir harmonies, with Johnson frequently taking lead vocals. Several cuts, including “I Owe It All To God” and “Giving My Life To God”, are veritable horn festivals, with The Mighty Sanctuary Band contributing their brassy talent.

So frequently our Gospel music collections are missing essential recordings, mostly because of lack of availability of the music. Here’s an unprecedented opportunity to grab a piece of history — your library won’t be complete without it.