Expansion Records

If you’re looking for the moment where Gospel and Disco fused into a spiritual dancefloor explosion, EXS034 is the definitive record. The Rance Allen Group, led by the "Preacher of Soul" himself, were the masters of taking a message of faith and wrapping it in the high-octane production of the 1970s Stax/Motown era. The Product: Rance Allen Group – I’ll Be Your Shelter / I Belong To You Label: Expansion / Stax (Truth) Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EXS034 Release Year: 2020 Side A: "I’ll Be Your Shelter (In Time Of Storm)" Originally released in 1975 on the Stax subsidiary label Truth, this is a high-energy Gospel-Soul masterpiece. Written by the legendary Homer Banks and Carl Hampton, it features a relentless, driving rhythm and Rance Allen’s incomparable, glass-shattering falsetto. It is widely considered one of the greatest "Gospel-Disco" crossover tracks ever recorded. Side B: "I Belong To You" A beautiful, mid-tempo builder that showcases the group's harmonic Tightness. While the A-side is for the peak-time floor, the B-side is a "Modern Soul" essential that focuses on the group's soulful, emotive delivery. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The Stax "Truth" Era The Rance Allen Group was signed to Truth Records, a subsidiary created by Stax specifically to market "contemporary gospel." The Fact: Because Stax was facing major financial turmoil in 1975, the original 7-inch pressings of "I’ll Be Your Shelter" received very poor distribution. The Figure: Original US promo copies on the Truth label are notoriously hard to find in Mint condition and can command £70–£100 ($90–$125). 2. The Homer Banks Connection The A-side was penned by the same team behind Staples Singers’ "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)." The Figure: Homer Banks was a titan of the Memphis sound. His ability to write "secular-sounding" hits for Gospel acts is why this record became a staple at secular Northern Soul all-nighters like the Wigan Casino and later the Blackpool Mecca. 3. The "Glass-Shattering" Vocal Rance Allen was often called the "Gospel Marvin Gaye." The Fact: Rance’s vocal range was so extreme that engineers during the original Stax sessions reportedly had to use special limiters to prevent his voice from distorting the tape. On the EXS034 remaster, you can hear the clarity of those high notes better than on any previous vinyl version. 4. The 2020 Tribute This Expansion release came out shortly before Rance Allen’s passing in late 2020. The Impact: As a result, this 7-inch became a "memorial" pressing for many collectors. Demand spiked as fans sought a high-quality vinyl tribute to the man who revolutionized modern gospel music. Technical Specs for Collectors Mastering: Expansion utilized the original Stax/Concord masters. The result is a much "punchier" drum sound than the original 1975 LP, which was often mastered with a flatter EQ. The Label: This release features a stunning recreation of the Stax "Finger" logo and the purple Truth label design, giving collectors the authentic Memphis aesthetic. Collector's Tip: "I’ll Be Your Shelter" is a high-BPM record (approx. 125 BPM). It is frequently used by DJs to "ramp up" the energy in a set, sitting perfectly between classic 60s Northern Soul stompers and early 70s Disco.