There's joy "way down in my soul," Rance Allen proclaims, and it's evident in every one in the 16 songs on this Stax Profiles collection, which spans the years 1971-75 when the Detroit-born singer, pianist, and guitarist, along with his brothers Steve and Tom, revolutionized gospel music with their spirit-filled recordings for the Stax subsidiary labels Gospel Truth and Truth.

Besides the David Porter-penned hit "Ain't No Need of Crying," the disc includes many Rance Allen originals and his readings of gospel classics by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Brother Joe May, and Rev. James Cleveland. Allen's emotion-charged, multi-octave vocal delivery is one of the wonders of the music world, and the joy he projects is simply overwhelming.

TRACK LISTING

1. Lying on the Truth
2. Joy
3. Hot Line to Jesus
4. What Is This?
5. I Belong to You
6. Ain't No Need of Crying
7. That Will Be Good Enough for Me
8. Let the Music Get Down in Your Soul
9. What a Day
10. The Painter
11. I Give My All to You
12. God Is Wonderful
13. Up Above My Head
14. Heaven Is Where The Heart Is
15. Greatness of God
16. Ring My Bell