THE HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR (below) is a London-based vocal group which debuted in 2014 at the Glastonbury Festival. Founded by their creative producer and lead vocalist, NATALIE MADDIX, the choir combines two distinct musical genres – House and Gospel (the clue’s in the name!). The ensemble’s mission statement is simple – “we can’t all speak at the same time and have our voices heard but we can sing together as one voice and be understood”.
If you’ve not caught up with them yet (and why the hell not???) make a note in your diary – HGC will be releasing their second LP, LOVE IS THE MESSAGE’, carrying HGC’s core philosophy of joy, peace and unity, on 9th August.
We’re told that the album is an explosive affair . It’s an 11 tracker comprising inspired covers of three classics; ‘Promised Land’, one of house music’s most legendary tracks in collaboration with original creator Joe Smooth, the Sounds of Blackness’s 1991 essential ‘Optimistic’ with Beverley Knight lending her powerful, soulful vocals, and the 1995 chart-topper ‘Dreamer’ with original artist Janice Robinson of Livin’ Joy. The remainder of the album comprises original material of soulful house-flavoured, gospel-inspired cuts.
Whilst we eagerly await the album’s release we can now enjoy the first single – ‘You’. It’s a soul stirring slice of modern gospel with full on harmonics and an uplifting soulful house vibe . It’s an empowering affair – a sort of Sounds Of Blackness for the 21st century. My only criticism is that it’s too short – just shy of two and half minutes!
Natalie Maddix says “We all need our inner ‘Hype person’ to lift us to keep going and ‘YOU’ was written to be that mantra to speak to all hearts. This track uplifts the spirit to remind us ‘you got this’, no matter what. Co-written by Lizzie Nightingale, Piers, Kesi of Rudimental, from London and myself, this song was created to inspire and drive self-belief to the listener, Love Is the Message.”
‘You’ is out now via Natalie Maddix’s new label Swear Down Music. Recommended!
