Bob Hemphill & The Commanders - Everybody Will Be Happy (1973/2020)

Everybody Will Be Happy by Bob Hemphill and The Commanders comes as part of Craft Recordings rollout of the first-ever digital release of 25 albums from the catalogue of Stax Records subsidiary Gospel Truth Records. Titles are being released every week in chronological order, building towards to September’s Gospel Heritage Month.

The Gospel Truth catalogue ranged from the divine gospel of Maceo Woods to the cutting-edge message music of Louise McCord and the label’s marquee act Rance Allen. Its 1970s archives reach beyond the realms of simply the black American gospel tradition and showcased a diverse collection of talent.

Gospel Truth was established in 1972 as the brainchild of Stax executive Al Bell. He enlisted the help of radio promotions pioneer and songwriter Dave Clark and Stax label staffer Mary Peak Patterson to oversee the imprint’s formation. Gospel Truth sought to “carry the message of today’s gospel to the people on the street,” as promotional material for the label’s launch announced.

What stood Gospel Truth apart from other gospel labels was the accessibility of its signings. Clark’s keen eye and ear had the knack of combining traditional gospel musicians with raw and revolutionary artists at home in rock, funk and soul, resulting in a sound that resonated with the hip audience of the 1970s.