New York Community Choir - Make Every Day Count (Expanded Edition) (2015)

Formed in the early '70s as an offshoot of the popular, Grammy-nominated Isaac Douglas Singers, The New York Community Choir originally consisted of some one hundred members under the direction of Benny Diggs and included prominent writer Arthur Freeman. The Choir first came to national prominence in the U.S. in 1971 on a much-acclaimed recording by renowned poet Nikki Giovanni, The Truth Is On Its Way. Another offshoot of the choir, Revelation Movement (which included Diggs and Freeman) was formed to primarily do secular rather than gospel shows and morphed in 1974 into Revelation consisting of Diggs and Freeman along with Philip Ballou and Arnold McCuller. The quartet signed to RSO Records where they recorded one album. In 1977, The New York Community Choir signed with RCA Records: their self-titled debut LP included the dance hit, "Express Yourself".

Released in 1978, their follow-up set, Make Every Day Count (with a group name change to NYCC), was produced like its predecessor by RCA executive Warren Schatz, and included seven original songs along with a cover of I ll Keep My Light in My Window, a tune originally recorded by the duo Caston & Majors for Motown (later also cut by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye). The album boasted arrangements by Leon Pendarvis (the co-leader of the Saturday Night Live band) and featured such stellar New York session musicians as Paul Shaffer and Richard Tee on keyboards, Jeff Mironov and John Tropea on guitars, Errol Crusher Bennett on percussion, Will Lee on bass and Steve Gadd on drums.

The album s infectious title track became popular particularly in East Coast discos, and has remained a popular inspirational anthem among gospel and R&B music lovers. The original LP is making its worldwide CD debut with this release by Real Gone Music in association with SoulMusic Records, and this Expanded Edition includes six-minute plus 12 single versions of Make Every Day Count and I ll Keep My Light in My Window, with liner notes by SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan and remastering at Sony s Battery Studios. Funky, soulful, spiritual!

Tracklist:
01. New York Community Choir - Make Every Day Count (3:52)
02. New York Community Choir - A Song Can Reach Your Heart (5:54)
03. New York Community Choir - I'll Keep My Light in My Window (2:41)
04. New York Community Choir - The World Is Waiting for a Change (5:09)
05. New York Community Choir - Rejoice, Rejoice (5:18)
06. New York Community Choir - Who Do You Say I Am (4:29)
07. New York Community Choir - This Old Man (4:12)
08. New York Community Choir - We Can Make It (4:09)
09. New York Community Choir - I'll Keep My Light in My Window (12" Version) (6:00)
10. New York Community Choir - Make Every Day Count (12" Version) (6:08)