Harlem Gospel Travelers, The
Rhapsody
With 'Rhapsody,' vocalists Ifedayo Gatling, Dennis Bailey, and George Marage delve into the diverse musical influences that shaped them. Following their 2021 release 'Look Up!,' this album explores a lesser-known but crucial era in gospel music, where artists began blending soul and funk in the mid-1960s. Inspired by the 2006 reissue 'Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal,' the Harlem Gospel Travelers reinterpreted these gospel funk tracks in their own style, from the soulful 'God's Been Good To Me' to the hip-hop-inflected 'Get Involved.' The Harlem Gospel Travelers formed under the mentorship of Eli "Paperboy" Reed and released their debut 'He's On Time' in 2019 to critical acclaim. Originally a quartet, they became a trio before recording 'Look Up!,' their first album of original material. With 'Rhapsody,' the group pushes gospel music boundaries, blending traditional messages with innovative sounds that reflect their diverse influences.