A thread: Back in the 1970s, my dad was a record producer. On the west side of Chicago he produced soul, r&b, and gospel. Lots of gospel. 1/

His label and their subsidiaries, which included Gospel Masters, Gospel United, Daniels 8, etc. weren't big. They were extremely regional. 2/

He produced artists that most people wouldn't have heard of. Though a big feather in his cap was recording Evelyn Gaye of The Gay Sisters, a seminal group of gospel's golden age. But By the late-70s, for a myriad of reasons, he began closing up shop. 3/ https://www.malaco.com/artists/gospel/the-gay-sisters/

Over the decades, through a confluence of events like storage issues, he lost the physical copies for the records he produced. So two years before he died, I went on the hunt to find them. 4/

Before he passed, I located a few of his 45's and got them as a Christmas gift (the closest I came to seeing him cry). But there was one record by a little-known gospel artist he produced that piqued his interest: STOP AND THINK by Jessie Glover. 5/ http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/G/jessie_glover/index.php

I scoured every online marketplace that dealt in what’s affectionately known as Norther Soul music to no avail. My dad died without me locating that record, his record. 6/

In the five years since his passing, every few months or so, I do a quick search, on the off-chance I might find it. A week ago, on discogs, the vinyl finally popped up… in Montreal, Canada. 7/

In the week since buying the record, I’ve been anticipating what it might sound like — barring the 45s I bought for Christmas — I’ve barely heard his music. His recording career was a big moment in his life, and I’ve always felt terrible not knowing much about it. 8/

Today STOP AND THINK arrived. Seeing the blue label, with my dad’s name and his handwriting, was like bringing him back home. I cried. 9/

This record sounds fantastic. I wish my dad was here so I could tell him that it sounds clean, soulful, and uplifting yet poignant. It’s gospel. 10/

Here’s one song: “Sit Down Servant.”

And my favorite song: “Hard Times.” 12/

One last note: The picture of Jesus and his outstretched arms on the blue label, the design was sketched by my aunt. She’s the last living family member associated with the defunct label. But she has dementia. So in a way, this is like bringing her back, too. /End Thread