Paradise were a British, London-based gospel quintet of the early 1980s, which were the first UK group to adopt funk elements into their sound after the pioneering style of US gospel acts such as Andrae Crouch and Rance Allen and later added reggae sounds to their music in the 1990s.[1] In 1980 the group were signed to Pilgrim Records, a UK Christian record label whose roster included Marilyn Baker, and set to work in a collegiate style on their self-titled first album.[2] From 1980-1985 the group included two lead singers, Doug Williams and Paul Johnson, noted for his high falsetto. Johnson left to attempt a mainstream solo career with CBS in 1986. Following Johnson's departure the group released one more single then split up.. Many of their hits include "World's Midnight", "Never Will Turn Back", "Here and Now", the smash trio hits "One Mind, Two Hearts", "With You", "Just Can't Stop", "Love Is the Answer"," Back Together", and "We Can Work It Out".

Discography

Albums

  • Paradise (Pilgrim, 1981)
  • World's Midnight (1982, Pilgrim)
  • Love Is the Answer (1983, Priority)
  • Best of Paradise (2010, Kingsway)

Singles

  • "Love Is the Answer" (1983)
  • "One Mind, Two Hearts" (1983) (UK#42)[3]
  • "We Can Work It Out" (1984) (UK#81)[3]
  • "Heartstrings" (1985)

References

  1. ↑ "Paradise: Britain's gospel funk pioneers of the 1980s now on CD". 15 August 2010. Tony Cummings gives the historic lowdown on British R&B, funk and reggae gospel band PARADISE: "London's Paradise weren't the first gospel act to integrate funk into their sound (such a credit should be given to such US gospel pioneers as Andrae Crouch and Rance Allen). But Paradise were the first in Britain and in the early 1980s demonstrated that gospel was moving on from the quartet sound and the choir call-and-response fervour of old. Now with the release of a lovingly selected compilation, a new generation of believers can enjoy the groundbreaking music of London's early gospel funksters."
  2. ↑ Steve Alexander Smith British Black Gospel "Writing material was easy. We would just show up at the rehearsals with a neat idea, give guys their parts and try to arrange the basic format. It would always morph somewhat over the following weeks, but we usually arrived at a consensus for the final deal. If a casting vote was required the main writer got the shout."
  3. 1 2 "PARADISE songs and albums - full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
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