D.J. Rogers - Hope Songs Vol. 1 (1982) [Reissue 2017]

Recorded in 1982, this private press release sees D.J Rogers cut a straight up gospel themed album with that early 80s indie soul sound running through. The result is an engaging album that will interest people into rarely heard modern – the tunes o ‘Hope Songs Vol 1’ are strong with slight similarities to Michael Orr in places, particularly in the vocals on the great opener ‘I Told Him I Would Sing’ – pure turn of the decade eighties homegrown soul. ‘All I Gave Him Was My Heart’ is an infectious head nodder, the expansive ‘He Cares For Me’ is a nice slowie while the mellow ‘All In Me’ is another good ballad. Decent discovery and one that goes beyond the heavily gospel oriented message in the lyrics.