Gospel has always been more than a genre. It’s a foundation, a feeling and a force that has shaped generations of Black music, from Hip-Hop to Disco. For DJ and selector Dean Bryce, it’s a well he returns to again and again, tracing its influence from church choirs to club systems. Bryce, the founder of independent record label and management company DON’T SLEEP, has spent years digging deep. As a result, few DJs move between obscure spiritual grooves and club-ready heaters with the same precision.
“You can trace House music back to Gospel,” he tells Mixcloud, and his sets make that lineage unmistakable: the call-and-response, the uplift, the endless sense of release. “It makes perfect sense that many early House records are essentially re-imagined Gospel tracks,” Bryce continues. “Spirit first, club second.” As the festive season rolls in, Bryce invites us into the spiritual heart of the sound, highlighting the mixes, music and modern interpreters keeping Gospel’s joyful fire alive on today’s dancefloors.
Dean Bryce – Holy Heat Vol. 1
‘Holy Heat Vol. 1’ is mixed and selected by Bryce himself, and works for newcomers to Gospel and heads alike. It paints a picture of the range of the genre, proving just how easily these records can function on a modern dancefloor. Dean explores the hottest, sometimes obscure, and sometimes Pop-infused Gospel grooves that are so adaptable it warrants respect. Tune in for rare cuts and uptempo tracks.
Melodic Distraction – Disco Schmisco Gospel Special
It is shows like this that remind us that Melodic Distraction continues to hold a place in our collective hearts. Curated by Keltoi, ‘Disco Schmisco’ takes on a Gospel flavor in this show from 2022. The opener sets the tone, with euphoric vocals, chords and keys spliced throughout the show. Gospel is the launchpad for many famous singers and artists, and Keltoi does an incredible job of reminding us of that fact. A true education in Gospel.
The Face Radio – Minight Riot with Yam Who? Take It To Church – Gospel Disco Special
The Gospel to Disco pipeline continues courtesy of Yam Who’s biblical rendition on ‘Minight Riot’ on The Face Radio from 2020. With a little Boogie in between, you’re exposed to some seriously heavenly vocal sections and choir arrangements. These are chopped and laced over the most joyous funky breaks. It definitely places the Gospel sound and singers in a new context, bringing them closer to the sounds it inspired.
DJ Chill X – Gospel House Mix 6
Yet more proof of Gospel’s adaptability. Lending itself to House this time, London-based DJ Chill X offers a mover of a mix. It will have you two-stepping while sending love and adoration to God. Built for praise, worship and dancing, he adds another collection to his Gospel House series. He explores the confines of the two sounds and showcasing a perfect marriage. The beautiful way Gospel vocals meet the four-four rhythms is enough to evoke a wide range of emotions. Especially the urge to move your feet.
Livin’ Proof – Budgie – Gospel According to Rap
The good people over at Livin’ Proof are professional storytellers, often exploring the connections between Rap music and its collective environments. Here, producer and artist Budgie puts together a sonic essay, pinpointing Gospel and many of the times the sound has been sampled in Rap tunes. Starting strong with Snoop Dogg, you also hear Drake, Rick Ross, Raekwon and Budgie’s own productions. A mix for the soul.
jrocc – Adventures In Stereo #294 – Annual Anointed Gospel Spectacular
Representing the Beat Junkies, jrocc is a music historian through and through. As an avid Gospel child, he displays more of its greatness alongside famed producer Jake One, who offers up a guest mix on jrocc’s ‘Adventures In Stereo’ radio show, a Gospel special. In between Disco, Rap and R&B there are a bunch of vocal clips and samples that tie these sounds in a Gospel-shaped bow.