Soldiers of the Light

Description

Soldiers of the Light is the third studio album by the American pop/soft-rock group Andrus, Blackwood & Company, released on Greentree Records in 1981, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was produced by Phil Johnson.

“Soldier of the Light” was among the Top Five Songs of 1981, listed as number one according to CCM Magazine.

By 1981, Andrus Blackwood Co had been going four years since the duo quit The Imperials. They became one of the pioneering inter-racial pop groups in Christian music offering R&B-tinged pop, catchy and radio friendly songs, and top rate production. Here, the musical components pays off on a track like the «The Well Will Never Run Dry» with its fabulous groove and dynamic horns. Although the album is a little top heavy with ballads, no one could argue that Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood presented to US Christian radio a quality product. I always prefer them when they’re grooving a little bit so the title track and «The Other Side» are probably my favourites here. «Give It All» is nicely driven by some funky guitar and bass (from the amazing Abraham Laboriel) whilst «Walk On Water» grooves along at a nice pace. The result is a good pop album, very much of its time. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, May 2010]

Andrus, Blackwood and Co. have outdone themselves. ‘Soldiers of the Light’ is loaded with great songs, outstanding vocal performances and superb production.

Let’s start with the songs. Three, «God-Made Man», «Close to You» and «The Other Side», were authored by one of gospel music’s best, Bruce Hibbard. Another outstanding tune, «The Well Will Never Run Dry», was penned by David Huff. Other contributors include Tim Sheppard, Dave Baroni, Shane and Alice Keister, and Phil Johnson.

You want to talk about vocals? Don’t. Just listen to Sherman and Terry sing. ‘Nuff said.

Now production. Producer Phil Johnson assembled some hot L.A. session players, including Hadley Hockensmith and Abraham Laboriel of Koinonia and the Seawind horns, to lay down some of the tightest tracks you’ve ever heard. It’s well engineered too. Phil, ya done good!

Andrus, Blackwood & Co. may have taken cues from the Imperials: there are some similarities in the sound. (Sherman and Terry are both former members of that group.) But considering the success the Imperials have had since their shift to a more contemporary sound, it’s not a bad move.

(Best cuts: «The Well Will Never Run Dry», «God-Made Man», «Soldiers of the Light») [John W. Styll, CCM (What’s New), June 1981]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/soldiers-of-the-light/585018842)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Soldier Of The Light” – 4:06
A2. “The Well Will Never Run Dry” – 4:58
A3. “God-Made Man” – 4:58
A4. “Close To You” – 3:50
A5. “I Still Do” – 3:15

Side Two
B1. “The Other Side” – 4:57
B2. “Walk On Water” – 4:27
B3. “Give It All” – 3:36
B4. “The Captain & Me” – 3:53
B5. “You Are” – 3:25

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Greentree Records. Re-issued on CD by Benson Music Group in 1991, featuring two albums on one CD (the other album being Step Out of the Night).

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The July 1981 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Terry Blackwood and Sherman Andrus of Andrus, Blackwood & Co.

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