Let My People Go is the fourth studio album by the Christian gospel vocal group The Winans. It was released in late 1985 and is their first album on Qwest Records with distribution by Warner Bros. Records. The brothers produced the album themselves.
After three albums on Light Records, including their Grammy winning previous album Tomorrow, The Winans signed with Quincy Jones' Qwest Records in hopes of achieving some success in the general market. Let My People Go displays a more raw R&B sound with songs like "Redeemed" and "Very Real Way" moving them into funkier territory than the group has ever explored, even predating Kirk Franklin.
The title song uses biblical imagery of the exodus to address contemporary social situations in South Africa and the Middle East. It was their first Top 50 hit on the R&B chart. "Special Lady" is a ballad sung as a memorial tribute to their grandmother. The opening track "Choose Ye" has a Latin/Calypso feel and features duet vocals by Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
Let My People Go gave The Winans their first number one album on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart in 1986. The album crossed over into the mainstream R&B market charting and peaking at number 57 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Also in 1986, The Winans won their first Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year at the 17th GMA Dove Awards and in 1987, they won their second Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group for this album at the 29th Grammy Awards and won their first Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album -Duo, Group or Chorus at the inaugural ceremony.
Track listing
All songs were written by Marvin Winans, except where noted.
1. Choose Ye (featuring Vanessa Bell Armstrong) -4:56
2. Redeemed -4:58
3. Perfect Love (Carvin Winans, Debra Winans) -4:39
4. Straighten My Life Out -4:53
5. Let My People Go (Marvin Winans, Carvin Winans, Barry Hankerson) -4:52
6. I'll Follow Where You Lead -3:39
7. Special Lady (Marvin Winans, Carvin Winans) -5:03
8. Very Real Way -4:49
Personnel
The Winans:
Marvin Winans -vocals
Carvin Winans - vocals
Michael Winans - vocals
Ronald Winans -vocals
Accolades
Dove Award -Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year (Let My People Go)
Grammy Award -Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group (Let My People
Go)
Soul Train Music Award -Best Gospel Album -Duo, Group or Chorus (Let My People
Go)
Radio singles
1985 -1986 "Let My People Go" -#42 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs
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