Simply put, Tao is a concept of the fundamental nature of the world, a world that is constantly fluid, continuing and changing rather than the static definition of a never changing reality. The Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu is the best literary depiction of the concept and remains one of the most significant spiritual works of all times. The tecnoNucleo net label has put together a 28 track and almost 3 hours long collection of musical interpretions of this seminal work. The tracks include a wide range of experimental electronic artists who uses various means including field recordings, sampling, electronic drones and more to complete their interpretations. Like the concept itself, there is no absolute and finite meaning to these works. The meaning is in the sound, creating an intuitive feeling and holistic environment rather than any intellectual definition. And in this way this anthology succeeds. This is a album that is meant to be felt rather than understood and in that sense, it becomes a highly spiritual experience.

This online anthology is available in Flac, Ogg Vorbic and MP3 formats.

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I’ve heard some really weird stuff while searching for free and legal internet albums but the first four tracks of Compilation Classique by the boys’ choir Les Petits Chanteurs de Montiqny may be some of the strangest. There’s something totally bizarre about French children singing traditional African-American Spirituals like “Good Down Moses” and “Go Tell It on The Mountain”. Maybe it is the French accents…

But after you get past the first four tracks, you will find some meticulously sang classical vocal works by great composers such as Mozart, Hadyn, Couperin and many others. These lads are at ease with these European inspirational works whether it is Palestrina or Faure. This is a very relaxing and pleasing album by a very talented choir. But there is a moral to all of this. Stick with what you know.

The album is available from Jamendo in VBR MP3.

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The Christmas season always gets me thinking of The Salvation Army. This organization does amazing charitable work throughout the years but the bell ringers with their little black pots are a consistent part of the holiday season around here. They also have a tradition of great brass bands. The 1975 album Spirit of Joy from The CHRW album archive shows off a specially nice ensemble from the London, Ontario area. While not Christmas songs, these eleven tracks have a seasonal feel with devotional titles and a crisp military cadence going for it. The 128kbsp MP3 files appear to be taken from a vinyl recording so there are a few scratches and the sound is just OK. However the jubilant spirit of these standard pieces for a Salvation Army band is not to be ignored. This might be a little different (OK, a lot different) than what the average visitor downloads from this blog but give it a try. You might like it. And if you enjoy the music, support the artists by giving a little seasonal donation to The Salvation Army next time you see the bell ringers. Tell them Free Albums Galore sent you.

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Fine Recording was just one of many small independent record labels that existed in the mid 20th century catering to the regional and local markets. The Rochester, New York based company recorded a variety of artists in jazz, blues, rockabilly and gospel, none really making it big but still leaving a legacy of excellent sessions. The discs languished in a fire ravaged warehouse until Australian musician and collector Mark Taylor rescued what remained and began the laborious job of restoring these long lost recordings.

WFMU, with the permission of Mr. Taylor, offers a free online album of 25 gospel tracks recorded in the 1960s and the 70s. This is a capsule look at an incredibly creative run of East coast regional gospel that flourished during this period. Most of these groups are obscure although two, The Bright Clouds and The Spiritual Jubilators, are still active. There’s also a mention of Marion Williams as lead singer on “I Feel The Spirit” by The Inspirational Gospel Singers which makes me wonder if it could possibly be the great gospel diva herself. All of these songs are joyful and sometimes raucous celebrations of hope. These examples of urban gospel show a lot of influence from R&B although it might be more correctly said that R&B originally borrowed from gospel. However Jean McInnis’ solo of The Inspirational Gospel Singers’ “The Same Thing It Took” reminds me of Fontella Bass more than Mahalia Jackson. On the other hand, J.J. & J. Modernaire Singers’ “Servant of The Lord” is a traditional example of the gospel male quartet. I’m quite partial to the male gospel quartet and there are some fine ones on this collection including The Mighty Sons, The Gospel Hi-Lites, and the afore-mentioned Bright Clouds and Spiritual Jubilators. The opening tracks by The B.C Harmonizers and the Bible Aires Spiritual Singers are typically rollicking call-and-response of the celebratory kind that you would find in the black church on any Sunday morning. Hopefully WFMU and Mr. Taylor will share the music of other genres from this excellent regional record company but these rare gospel records should make even the least religious music lover shout “Hallelujah!”.

The album is available in 192kbps MP3. As previously noticed, at least two of these artists are still recording so if you like their music buy their CDs.

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Shall We Gather at the River is another excellent folk music anthology from the Florida Folklife Collection of The Florida State Archives. The emphasis is on African-American sacred music, mainly recorded from The Florida Folk Festival between 1955 to 2005. There are a few well known artists like The Dixie Hummingbirds but most are unknown regional artists. Like the other collections from The Florida Folklife Collection, which were reviewed here and here, the recordings are excellent examples of original American traditional music as they were meant to be played and heard.

This is gospel at its finest and rawest. No fancy productions. usually live and field recordings, mostly accappella, but lots of soul and heart-felt conviction. It’s hard to pick favorites. Certainly The Dixie Hummingbirds are as good as they always are but The Washington Singers and The Versiteers are just as awe inspiring . “Jesus be a Fence Around Me” by The Antioch Junior Choir should be heard for the incredible vocal turn by the lead singer. Deacon Dan Smith gives a toe-tapping number that would have typically been heard on the street corners or the Sunday church picnic. The Religioneers have a gospel doo-wop sound that is delightful on “Come and Go to That Land”. The traditional gospel church sounds can be heard on a clip from a Testerima Primitive Baptist church service and there is a wonderful “Daniel’s in the Lion’s Den” by Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers. The album ends with possibly its most beautiful song, a exquisite accappela “There’s a Bright Side Somewhere” by Reatha Pearl Marshall. This is an excellent anthology guaranteed to lift your spirits regardless of your race, creed, or religion.

The album is available as separate tracks in 96 kbps MP3. Don’t fret the bitrate since the recordings are monaural and of very good quality. But, if you wish, you can request a complimentory CD from the Florida State Archives.

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The Swan Silvertones Singers, also known as The Swan Silvertones, were one of the most popular and accomplished black gospel groups of the 40s and 50s. They also rank as one of the greatest a cappella groups of all time.

The Dovesong Foundation has a excellent collection of old gospel music but, in my opinion, the 21 tracks making up the King Recordings of The Swan Silvertones is one of the best things about it. These tracks from 1946 to 1951 comprise their recordings before they went to Specialty Records and national fame. Each track is a perfect gem of a cappella singing with only a few accompanied by a single strumming guitar. While all members were virtuoso singers, the founder Claude Jeters processed a tenor and falsetto voice that was rarely equaled. “A Mother’s Cry” is a exquisite example of the emotion in Jeter’s falsetto deliverance. “Working on a Building” is a harmonic revelation and I dare you to try to keep your foot from tapping during upbeat gospel scorchers like “My Time Done Come” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. Don’t let the gospel label keep you away from these masterpieces of American music.

The album is available in 128kbps MP3.

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