Rare Southern gospel soul music from the ’70s-’80s collected on 2xLP

Showcasing the output of Memphis Tennessee imprint D-Vine Spirituals.

A new collection featuring gospel soul music from Juan D. Shipp’s D-Vine Spirituals label, called Sacred Soul: The D-vine Spirituals Records Story Volume 1 and 2, is being released via Bible & Tire Co this January.

Growing up in Memphis, Juan D. Shipp began playing trombone in bands as a teenager, before becoming a record producer at Designer Records, as well as a local DJ.

Convinced that he could elevate gospel artists’ music during the production process, he founded D-Vine Records and the D-Vine Spirituals sub-label.

During its heydey, Shipp produced and released records from artists including The Supreme Travelers, The Southern Echoes, and Rev. L. D. Harris + The Smiling Four.

Focusing on the label’s output from 1972-’86, Sacred Soul: The D-vine Spirituals Records Story collects 28 songs from artists including Elder Ward & The Gospel Four, The D-Vine Spiritualettes, The Southern Bells, and The Angelic Five.

It follows the resurrection of the label in 2019, with Shipp driven by a desire to bring gospel “out of the church building”.

Pre-order Sacred Soul: The D-vine Spirituals Records Story Volume 1 and 2 here in advance of their 14th January release, check out the artwork and tracklists below.

Volume 1

2. The Southern Sons – I’m a Soldier in God’s Army

3. The Seven Brothers One River to Cross

4. The Gospelaires – I’m Going Home

5. The Heavenly Stars — Take Me by the Hand

6. Evelyn Taylor — Look at Your Life

7. The Supreme Travelers — You Got to Live the Life

8. Elder Ward & The Gospel Four — God’s Going to Blow out the Sun

9. The Spiritual Stars of Kansas City, Missouri — Memories

10. The Joy of Memphis — I Feel Like Flying Away

11. The Kingdom Airs — The Reason I Love Him

12. The D-Vine Spiritualettes — Where You Gonna Run?

13. The Gospel Four — The Devil Don’t Like It

14. The Traveling Stars — When I Looked

Volume 2

2. The Spiritual Wonders — Something That You Can Do

3. The M&N Singers — Stand by Me

4. The Shaw Singers — My Time Ain’t Long

5. Sister Jessie M. Sherley — I Know I’ve Been Changed

6. The Gospel Six of Tunica, Mississippi — Jesus, He’s a Miracle Worker

7. The Southern Aires — Ring Them Golden Bells

8. Elder Ward & The Gospel Four — A Change is Gonna Come

9. The Dynamic Hughes Singers — The Lord’s Prayer

10. The Pure Heart Travelers — I’m a Pilgrim

11. The Exciting Legion Aires — Never Grow Old

12. The Jackson Golden Airs — So Hard to Say Goodbye

13. The Angelic Five — I Got Jesus

14. The Southern Bells — I’ve Got to Tell It