Recorded in 1971 by a 27-year-old pastor
and an after school program choir, Like A
Ship is a stirring and powerful meditation
on the wayward aftermath of the Civil
Rights Movement. Tracked with the help
of Chess/Cadet maestros Gene Barge, Phil
Upchurch, and Richard Evans, the album
is a mix of euphoric gospel and Mayfieldesque
political soul, with sleigh bells, hand
claps, and jazzy piano stabs. Sampled by
T.I., Kanye, and Khaled, Barrett created
a rapturous, crossover gospel classic that's
still wildly relevant.