Contact: Crystal McLin

Light Records                                                                                      

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cmclin@compendiamusic.com

Compendia's Light Records signs The Mighty Clouds of Joy

NASHVILLE, TN - (April 23, 2002) Compendia Music Group announced that its newly reactivated gospel label, Light Records, has signed legendary gospel group the Mighty Clouds of Joy. A new studio album from the Mighty Clouds is scheduled for release in September.

Founding member Joe Ligon will produce four of the album's tracks; a number of young gospel and R&B producers, among the hottest in the industry, are currently vying to produce the remaining tracks.

All Music Guide's Jason Ankeny writes that the Mighty Clouds of Joy "carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound which over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions." Formed in the 1950s by teenage classmates Ligon and Johnny Martin, the Mighty Clouds of Joy blended dance moves and contemporary instrumentation into their traditional quartet vocal style, paving the way for three Grammy Awards, tours with The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon - even a crossover success on the pop charts with their disco hit, "Mighty High."

"The Mighty Clouds of Joy represent a standard in gospel music - a standard that says 'this is the way that it is supposed to be done', without once compromising their message," said Light Records' director of A&R Claudius Craig. "Most of today's gospel artists grew up on the Clouds and appreciate their legacy, as do the staff at Light Records."

"Light is a natural home for the Mighty Clouds of Joy," agreed Phillip White, general manager/vice president of Light Records. "Light Records made its name in the 1970s as the label that ushered in a new era of contemporary gospel. Today, we're doing the same thing - Light is at the forefront of a new gospel sound, a fresh way of approaching this genre of music. The Mighty Clouds have had that attitude throughout their career - they've stretched the boundaries of gospel, which allowed the genre to grow in new directions.

"It was the relationship between these performers and the staff at Light Records/Compendia Music Group that initially brought this group to our label," continued White. "Yet, ultimately, I would say that the Mighty Clouds of Joy signed with Light/Compendia because we offered a greater level of partnership to these artists - one that respected their place in the industry, and one that reflected their proven sales history."

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