Sun Spirit and Soul

The “Afro-Caribbean Singers,” founded in 1969, has had three distinguished directors: Dennis McIntyre, Horace Patterson, and Patricia Alphonso. From the group’s inception, Ben Jones has been chief accompanist, complemented for many years now by Emile Bisseck. The choral group specializes in folk songs, and has performed all over Winnipeg, and in other Manitoba centres, like Brandon and Flin Flon.

Year after year, during Folklorama, Manitoba’s week-long multicultural showcase (held in August), thousands flock to the pavilion of the Afro-Caribbean Association of Manitoba especially to hear the “Afro-Caribbean Singers.” This record is in very large measure offered in response to the numerous requests made by the public.
-Joyce Russell

It is easy, and befitting, to write in superlatives about this record, but I shall desist from doing so at length because the music is its own best evidence.

If the practice of titling an album after a hit tune had been followed, there would have been twelve possible titles for this one. There is variety and cohesion in the album. It starts with the testimonial “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”, and ends with the triumphant “Going Down Jordan” in between there are slow tunes and quick tunes.

The accompaniment of rhythm guitar, lead and bass guitars, organ or piano, bongo drums, tambourine and maracas, blends with the voices of the Afro-Caribbean Singers in what all the write promises — harmony. “SUN, SPIRIT, AND SOUL” delivers to the listener all that the title promises.
-Prof. Donald K. Gordon.

Dennis McIntyre: vocals; soloist on 'Deep River'
Patricia Alphonso: vocals
Ben Jones: vocals; soloist on 'Hol’ Him Joe', 'Oh Happy Day', 'Going Down Jordan'; rhythm guitar
Ruthven Nimblett: vocals, maracas
Harold Passley: vocals; soloist on 'Kingston Market'
Roma Harris: vocals; soloist on 'One More Mountain to Climb'
Wynetta Wilson: vocals, tambourine
Daphne Clacken: vocals
Marcia Evans: vocals
Lucinda Gordon: vocals
Joyce Russell: vocals
Carole Hemmings: vocals
Hazel Jones: vocals
Myrtella Jones: vocals
Joy McGann: vocals
Julia McIntyre: vocals
Lynette Plummer: vocals
Errol Bryan: vocals
Glen Roberts: vocals
John Abe Smith: vocals
Larry McQuarrie: lead guitar, bass guitar
Alva Rock: organ, piano
Emile Bisseck: bongo drums

Engineered by John Hildebrand
Recorded at Century 21 Studios, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Cover photograph by L’Image, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jacket design by Dan McQuarrie with a little help from Ted Paley