Let's Get Spiritual - Marshall Jefferson (1988)
from New Musical Express. 10th December 1988
Chicago House Music's third feature in the NME (the first being 1986). This one focus particularly on Marshall Jefferson and the burgeoning deep house scene. The title alone links well with the theme of the project but some interesting quotes pepper the piece. Particularly this from Jefferson:
“You don’t want to be in a position where you’re telling the whole world what to do. There are some religious records, like Jo Smooth’s “Promised Land” or Ce Ce Rogers’ “Someday’”, but Deep House is more about traditional songs than traditional values.”
Also noteworthy are the choice of graphics and photographs used. The open palmed hands draw reference to catholic communion (and aren't mentioned in the piece at all). Most interesting is the positioning of Marshall Jefferson with something that could pass for a halo behind his head. Whether coincidental or specifically shot to fit with the tone of the article we'll never know. I also like Witter's description of the new deep house sound:
“Firstly, lyrics. It has them, and they’re usually about something more than dancing – tales of life, love and hope, burning and yearning with the spiritual tension that’s at the root of all the best soul. ”
