‘The King Of Gospel Music: The Life And Music Of Reverend James Cleveland’ Out Now

Today, Malaco Records releases The King Of Gospel Music: The Life And Music Of Reverend James Cleveland, a new book and accompanying 4-disc collection that commemorates the towering legacy of the Chicago Gospel legend. Written by Grammy Award-nominated historian Robert Marovich (The Gospel According To Malaco) with a foreword by Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin, the collection dives deep into the artistic evolution of James Cleveland and charts how he became one of worship music’s biggest stars and innovators.

Alongside the archival photos and academic insight into Cleveland’s life and art, The King Of Gospel Music is accompanied by a 4 disc set that features over 50 Cleveland recordings, from definitive performances to lesser-known jewels from the catalogue. This is the first time selections from Cleveland’s Apollo, HOB, and Savoy sessions have been combined into a single collection.

Order The King Of Gospel Music: https://www.malaco.com/the-king-of-gospel-music/

“James Cleveland sings the Horns off the Devil,” wrote David Jackson in The Village Voice, and listening to Cleveland’s recordings today remains a uniquely ecstatic experience. His incorporation of R&B and jazz into his songs and performances rewrote the Gospel rulebook and helped him develop into a bonafide star, outselling his competitors and becoming an oft-imitated influence on choir directors across the country. His 1963 live album, Peace Be Still, was a resounding success, selling almost a million copies to a predominantly Black audience. To this day, his commanding rasp and booming proclamations live on in the generations who devoured his records and attend his annual Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Says Kirk Franklin in his foreword: “A great architect always builds an edifice that can outlive the builder and be dwelt in for generations to come. That’s exactly what James, the architect, did for me. His melodies, showmanship, and commitment to the message in the music created the foundation for a young homeless kid like me who needed to learn the secrets of building his own. So we remember him, celebrate him, and honor him by continuing to add to his incredibly legacy — the architect of gospel music — James Cleveland.”