Description
Edwin Hawkins – Face To Face – Vinyl Record
Face to Face by Edwin Hawkins is a gospel album that carries with it a rich legacy in the realm of gospel music. Released in 1993, it represents the enduring talent and spiritual depth of Edwin Hawkins, a prominent figure in gospel music.
A trailblazing force behind the evolution of the contemporary gospel sound, Edwin Hawkins remains best known for his 1969 classic ‘Oh Happy Day,’ one of the biggest gospel hits of all time and a major pop radio smash as well.
Born in Oakland, CA in 1943, he began singing in his church youth choir while still a toddler, and by age five was playing piano; just two years later, he assumed full-time piano accompaniment duties for the family gospel group, making their recorded debut in 1957.
A decade later, Hawkins and Betty Watson co-founded the Northern California State Youth Choir, drawing on the finest soloists from throughout the Bay Area to build the 50-member ensemble, which soon entered the studio to cut the 1968 LP Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, its modern, R&B-influenced production pointing the way to a new era in gospel recording.
Edwin Hawkins, known for his exceptional vocal prowess and his role in popularizing gospel music, delivers a powerful and soul-stirring performance on this album. ‘Face to Face’ features gospel songs that are not only deeply spiritual but also emotionally resonant. The music is marked by uplifting melodies, powerful harmonies, and lyrics that celebrate faith, hope, and spiritual connection.
The album’s title, Face to Face, reflects the central theme of seeking a direct and personal encounter with the divine. It captures the essence of gospel music’s ability to evoke a sense of transcendence and closeness to God.
While the album may not have received widespread commercial attention, it holds immense significance within the gospel music community. Edwin Hawkins’ contributions to the genre, his ability to inspire through music, and the sincerity of his performances are all evident in Face to Face. This album serves as a timeless testament to the enduring power of gospel music to uplift, inspire, and bring people face to face with the divine.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Laction/ PolyGram Records 1990
Track Listing
If at First You Don’t Succeed (Try Again)
I’ll Make It Over
Face to Face
He’s So Divine
A Sacrifice of Praise
Peices
I’ll Keep Going On
How I Love You
Still the Need Goes On
Do You Know Who He Is?
