Elder Arlester Washington & the Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir – Thank You

Elder Arlester Washington & the
Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir
Thank You (EP)
Pure Harvest Entertainment, 2014
859-233-4876

By Bob Marovich

For decades, the mass choir movement has gathered together men and women of all ages and from a variety of denominations to fellowship in song. Though small in comparison to most mass choirs, the Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir fits this definition.

Organized in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1990, the choir’s most recent recording is a five-track EP called Thank You. The 2014 release features its leader, gospel music veteran Elder Arlester Washington. Back in the day, Washington sang and recorded with the Gospel Crystals and traveled with the Caravans and Jessy Dixon.

The Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir has a youthful sound and the vocal trimmings of a workshop choir. Its featured lead singers offer moments of sparkle in the selections, but it’s the old-school feel of “Lift the Lord Jesus” that sells the EP. Elder Washington’s lead evokes the raw gutsiness of old school quartet singing as the choir responds to his calls about the Holy Ghost with full-throated energy.

Thank You is independently produced, and by that I mean it comes directly from the choir’s audio/visual ministry. It’s no frills—no album notes, no composer credits, no special thanks (other than in the title), and to purchase it, you need to call the number above. Nevertheless, it makes for a pleasant listen and will appeal in particular to those who like traditional gospel wrapped in contemporary clothing.

For those seeking a longer set, the choir still offers its 2005 CD, Adoration and Praise, on CD Baby.

Three of Five Stars

Pick: “Lift the Lord Jesus”