The Evolution of Gospel is the debut studio album by Sounds of Blackness, released in 1991. 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