I always thought SOB was more R&B than gospel...

ABeautifulOne said:

Actually they WERE all-gospel. They formed in 1969 as a gospel group, lol.

One of the lead singers, Ann Nesby has a granddaughter that appeared on American Idol.

Timmy84 said:

I know but I always feel an R&B edge from the group

I've always liked this song. It's got a smooth groove and is uplifting at the same time. Good gospel music in my book. One of the few gospel songs that I heard on R&B stations on a regular basis.

I remember first hearing Sounds of Blackness on Arsenio Hall.. I was hooked from than on in.

Ann Nesby is one of the most underrated artists since Phyllis Hyman. She could have easily have been an Aretha or Patti..

I have all her solo albums.. here is a lil taste for those of you who may not be familiar with her music.

She always does alot of gospel house and dance tracks..

Her daughter Jamecia Bennett and Granddaugher Paris from american idol are also amazing vocalists.. a family with so much talent!

Ann's Grandbaby PARIS

ABeautifulOne said:

Yeah I dig what you're saying.

ABeautifulOne said:

yeah exactly, though by telling from the words, it is a gospel song, but the beat and feel of the song is very R&B-ish. I love this track though...takes me back to my childhood when I use to hear this song in heavy rotation on the radio during that summer.

missfee said:

Speaking of "R&B", how about that bass? To be honest, most gospel hits between the mid-1980s and early to mid-1990s were all contemporary. It led the way for Kirk to do what he's doing now and what everybody else is now doing. I still enjoy classic gospel tho don't get me wrong and most of today's gospel like "blah" but still, lol...

Timmy84 said:

oh I totally get you on your point regarding today's gospel music. It's more of a shit-hop gospel type. Its hard to differeniate it from R&B...I only like some of it, but most of it I can't even stand to listen to. When I want to get deep down into some spiritual gospel songs, i'll put on some Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers, Mahalia, The Clark Sisters or some Might Clouds of Joy.

missfee said:

The MCOJ are another group that mixes spiritual with secular successfully. Gospel critics call them the gospel version of the Temptations.

another one of my favorite songs of all times.

i remember my mom use to play this while picking me up from preschool. I miss THE EARLY 90S!

Nvncible1 said:

Are you trying to make us feel old?

Anyway, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis have said that this is one of their favorite songs in their catalog. I love it as well, but I've always preferred the album's 3rd single, "Testify."


It features that guy from Lo-Key guest starring on lead vocals. (The album version is better than this remix IMO.)