Alone EP

The record

A handful of private CDs

In 1994 a group of musicians in the Bronx recorded a gospel & funk album under the name Higher Calling, with tracks like “If Jesus Gave It”, “Call Him” and “Alone”.

It was made by teachers and students at the local youth and church centre, and every recording captures the raw vocal power and huge musical talent of the group.

The album was shared on just a handful of private CDs, produced in true DIY fashion. We came across an ultra-rare copy by pure coincidence, digging at Amore Discos in Barcelona.

The remix

The bonus track

The standout? A distorted lo-fi house remix of “Alone”, added at the very last minute as a bonus by teacher, vocalist and producer Bervin Harris.

Thirty years later that raw remix is still a total force on the festival circuit: pure 90s gospel club material, with soulful vocals and the kind of low end DJs and dancers crave.

Back to the Bronx

Finding Bervin Harris

Our mission to release this heavy slab of gospel house led us back to the Bronx to find Bervin Harris. He turned out to be the founder of the Renaissance Youth Center, a nonprofit that empowers kids through music, education and sports.

To bring his remix back to today’s dancefloors we did a “restorative” remaster: cleaning up the clipping in the original remix and letting the instrumental shine through. For completeness, the original and untouched versions of “Alone” are on the EP too.

All proceeds from this release go directly to the Renaissance Youth Center, funding music classes and a safe haven for the next generation of Bronx talent.

Fun fact: during our chats, Bervin’s team dropped a major flex. Their archives are full of unreleased music by their students, and right now about ten of them have perfect pitch. We’ll keep our ears open.