The Evolution of Gospel is the debut studio album by Sounds of Blackness, released in 1991.[3] In 1992, the album received the Grammy Award for "Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album".
Track listing
| # | Title | Length | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Lead Vocalist(s) |
| 1 | "Chains" | 1:02 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Carrie Harrington |
| 2 | "Optimistic" | 5:19 | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Ann Bennett-Nesby, Carrie Harrington, Coré Cotton, Patricia Lacy, Jamecia Bennett |
| 3 | "Ah Been Workin' " | 0:42 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Dorothy J. Townes |
| 4 | "The Pressure Pt. 1" | 6:04 | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Ann Bennett-Nesby |
| 5 | "Testify" | 4:58 | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Ann Bennett-Nesby, Andre Shepard |
| 6 | "Gonna Be Free One Day" | 0:37 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Otis Montgomery |
| 7 | "Stand" | 4:25 | Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart | Gary Hines | Ann Bennett-Nesby, Prof. T |
| 8 | "The Pressure Pt. 2" | 5:42 | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis | Ann Bennett-Nesby |
| 9 | "Your Wish is My Command" | 5:01 | Tim Wortham, Gary Hines, Tony Haynes | Gary Hines | Ann Bennett-Nesby |
| 10 | "Hallelujah Lord!" | 1:44 | Carrie Harrington, Gary Hines | Gary Hines | |
| 11 | "We Give You Thanks" | 6:16 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Ann Bennett-Nesby |
| 12 | "He Holds the Future" | 5:01 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Ann Bennett-Nesby, Carrie Harrington, Prof. T |
| 13 | "What Shall I Call Him?" | 4:04 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Ann Bennett-Nesby, Patricia Lacy, Elizabeth J. Turner |
| 14 | "Better Watch Your Behavior" | 1:54 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | |
| 15 | "Please Take My Hand" | 4:37 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | Ann Bennett-Nesby |
| 16 | "I'll Fly Away" | 3:49 | Albert E. Brumley | Gary Hines | Shirley Marie Graham |
| 17 | "Harambee (Swahili for 'Let Us All Pull Together')" | 1:04 | Gary Hines | Gary Hines | |
Chart positions
Album
| Year | Chart | Peak |
| 1991 | The Billboard 200 | #176 |
| 1991 | Top Gospel Albums | #12 |
| 1991 | Top R&B Albums | #4 |
Singles
"Optimistic"
| Year | Chart | Peak |
| 1991 | Dance Music/Club Play Singles | #17 |
| 1991 | Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales | #17 |
| 1991 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #3 |
"The Pressure Pt. 1"
| Year | Chart | Peak |
| 1991 | Dance Music/Club Play Singles | #1 |
| 1991 | Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales | #3 |
| 1991 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #17 |
"Testify"
| Year | Chart | Peak |
| 1992 | Dance Music/Club Play Singles | #7 |
| 1992 | Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales | #14 |
| 1992 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #12 |
References
| Authority control databases | |
|---|
[1]