Pastor T.L. Barrett & The Youth For Christ Choir – Like A Ship (Without a Sail)

An incredible sounding reissue of T.L. Barrett’s much sought-after, self-released 1971 gospel/soul album, Like A Ship (Without A Sail) features a stunning production that remains searingly fresh forty years on, all leant great depth by its memorable choral arrangements. “Chicago pastor and activist T.L. Barrett’s rare gospel soul classic Like A Ship… (Without A Sail) is finally receiving a much-needed reissue. Long revered by record collectors, this album remains one of the holy grails of gospel soul. Self-released in 1971, Like A Ship was the result of Barrett channeling his passion for music, a determination to keep children off the streets, and his charismatic preaching (which attracted the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire and Donny Hathaway to his sermons at Mount Zion Baptist Church) into the production of the album, a project bolstered by the saxophonist and arranger Gene Barge of the famed Chess Records, and backed by a cast of players that included Richard Evans, Phil Upchurch and the rapturous vocals of the Youth For Christ Choir. Like A Ship is filled with sanctified grooves and spiritual praise delivered with a righteous, infectious chorus.”