El Fields Gospel Wonders

Biography

E.L. Fields' Gospel Wonders is a gospel choir based at the Universal Church of God in New York City, active since at least the late 1970s, blending traditional gospel with funk elements to create a distinctive gospel funk style. The group provided a platform for emerging vocalists, notably featuring Sharon Jones, who sang with them during her early career before her rise to fame in soul and funk. Jones contributed original songs like 'Call on God,' written in the 1970s for the choir, reflecting the group's deep roots in church music and community worship.

The choir's recordings remained obscure until the 2010s, when Daptone Records released 'Heaven Bound,' a late-1970s track featuring Sharon Jones' powerful vocals backed by the group's uplifting harmonies and funky instrumentation. This release highlighted their role in Jones' formative years and preserved their funk gospel sound for modern audiences. Though specific details on E.L. Fields' personal life are unavailable, the group's legacy endures through these archival efforts and Jones' later reflections on her gospel beginnings.

Their influence persists in the revival of authentic soul-gospel hybrids, bridging 1970s church music with contemporary funk audiences, though no extensive discography or ongoing activity is documented beyond the Daptone single.

Fun Facts

• Sharon Jones wrote 'Call on God' for the group in the late 1970s, intending it for an all-gospel album that never materialized; it was later recorded during her Dap-Kings sessions in 2007.
• 'Heaven Bound' marks the first released gospel funk recordings featuring Sharon Jones from the late 1970s, unearthed and issued by Daptone Records in 2017.
• The choir operated out of the Universal Church of God in New York City, where Sharon Jones sang throughout much of her life before her mainstream success.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Sharon Jones - lead vocalist in early career ('Heaven Bound' (late 1970s, released 2017); 'Call on God' (written 1970s, recorded 2007)) [late 1970s]

External Links

• Spotify