Album Notes

From its inception, The Spirituals Project has been a leader in the growing national movement to preserve and revitalize the rich tradition of sacred songs created and first sung by enslaved Africans in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Represented in this collection are selections by three different community-based, multi-ethnic performance groups of The Spirituals Project: The Spirituals Project Choir, a 75-voice chorus presenting spirituals in the African American choral tradition; Sankofa, a 25-person ensemble formed from the large choir; and Sojourners, a small ensemble presenting unique versions of communal spirituals that welcome active, spontaneous expressions by song leaders, ensemble members and community participants. Also included, are selections by several soloists and instrumentalists ranging from traditional a cappella arrangements to gospel and jazz-infused interpretations. These emotional and passionate performances communicate the pain, beauty and joy of these transcendent songs.

You will also experience Dee Galloway’s visionary poem, spoken by the poet: They Slice the Air expresses the ultimate vision of The Spirituals Project—that “wherever these songs are sung, they slice the air, and in their wake is healing.”

To learn more about The Spirituals Project, visit www.SpiritualsProject.org