BILESSE RECORDS
Bilesse is a Detroit, Michigan black gospel record label, owned by the late gospel singer Bill Moss and his wife, Essie; the name Bilesse originates from combining their names together. The label operated from 1966-1982, the label was originally based in Detroit, by release 026 the label was based in Oak Park (suburban Detroit), by release 036 the label was based in Detroit again. Bill was born in Selma, Alabama, in 1931; he died in Detroit in 2007; Bill was the brother of gospel great Mattie Moss Clark, who recorded on the Savoy and Sound Of Gospel labels; he is also the uncle of Mattie’s daughters, the Clark Sisters. Bill moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1960 and formed the Celestials; in 1963 he moved to Detroit where he met and married Essie Coleman; Essie had by this time joined the Celestials with Bill. Essie was herself an established gospel singer in the Detroit area before she joined the Celestials with Bill; Essie also recorded solo on Bilesse and the AIR label. Bill recorded widely on the Savoy, Jewel, Gospel, Malaco, Westbound and AIR labels, he also released several 45’s and lp’s on his own label; he also recorded other local Detroit gospel singers/groups, such as The Clark Sisters, Essie Moss, Sons Of Zion and interstate performers. The label released Lp’s and 45’s; the numbering system appears to have the 45’s and LP’s intertwined with their numbers following on from each other. The label was released by Westbound Records for some time; Westbound Records was owned by Armen Boladian, who also would later establish Sound Of Gospel Records. Lp's 337 and 350 were released by Westbound; one of Bill's most notable albums was Bill Moss & The Celestials – I Have Already Been To The Water (Westbound 4000).
Catalog numbers 016, 026, 032, 033, 034 and 035 (for 45's) as well as LP 355 have all been allocated to two separate releases each for those catalog numbers, both listings for all of these numbers exist.
45’S
0001-: Trumpet-Letts- You Don’t Know My Troubles/ Have You Tried Jesus
0002-: The Mellow Tones Of Detroit, Michigan- Father's Children/ A Long Way From Home
0003-: Sons Of Zion- The Light/ Love In Action
0004-: Essie Moss & Rev Robert Grant Narrating- The Detroit Riot/ Essie Moss- He’ll Say Well Done
0005-: Masonettes- A Mighty Good God/ A Man With Every Thing
0006-: Trumpet-Letts – I Stretch My Hands To Thee/ Take Care Of Me Lord
0007-: Floyd Henley and The Gospel Echo-Ettes - To See Jesus/ The Man From Galilee
0008-: Essie Moss- Time Is Winding Up/ I Had To Tell Somebody
0010-: The Bilesse Singers- Memories Of Dr King/ When I Get To Heaven
0011-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- I’ve Already Been To The Water/ I’ve Got A Satisfied Mind
0012-: Sons Of Zion- My Mother Is Gone/ When I Step Inside
0013-: Sons Of Zion- Standin’ In The Need Of Prayer/ Do You Know Him
0015-: The Luckett Brothers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin- I'll Be So Glad/ I've Got Just What I Want
016-: The Bibletones of Boston, MASS- Lead Me And Guide Me/ Everyday That I Live To See
016-: Claretha Hairston C.O.G.I.C- I Don't Know/ Claretha Hairston and The Greater Love Tabernacle Young Adult Choir C.O.G.I.C.- Savior Like A Shepard (this 45 has no address on the label)
017-: Eastern District Y.P.H.A. Choir of the United Holy Church of America- Rejoice (Solo Daisy Johnson)/ He Looked Beyond My Faults (Solo Anthony Raynor)
018-: Eastern District Y.P.H.A. Choir of United Holy Church of America- Little Country Church (Solo by Mary Herring & Debra Smith)/ Song of Praise
019-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- I'm So Glad My Child Came Home/ Did You Ever Feel Like This
020-: The New Macedonias- Living For Jesus
021-: Sister Minnie Ola Morris- Thank God Now I’m Saved/ I Shall Never Forget
022-: Beverly Carter- Lord Let Your Holy Ghost Come On Down/ Just Another Soldier
023-: Jimmy Lorell Moss (7 Years Old) - Great God Almighty/ Great God Almighty (Instrumental), 1978
024-: Missionary Essie Moss- Take One Day At A Time/ This Little Light Of Mine (Soloist Essie and Linda), 1978
025-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- Rise Again/ You’ve Got To Serve Somebody, 1979
026-: Bill Moss Jr And James Moss- When Teddy Bear Took His Last Ride/ When Teddy Bear Took His Last Ride Part 2, 1980
026-: Rev Sam Fisher and The Gospel Missioners- Do You Know This Man/ I Believe
027-: The Moss Brothers, Bill Jr And Jimmy- Children Don't Go Off With Strangers (Reference To Atlanta's Tragedy)/ I'll Be A Lighthouse For God, 1981
028-: Missionary Essie Moss- Something Wonderful Happened To Me/ The Road Is Rough, 1982
029-: Bishop WM. Rimson- A Prayer For The Sick And Shut In No 1/ A Prayer For The Sick And Shut In No 2, 1982
030-: Lillie Parker Brown- Look Up/ He Increase My Faith
031-: George McAlister And The D.C. Knights- Stop By Here Part One (A Tribute To Rev. Julius Cheeks)/ Stop By Here Part Two (A Tribute To Rev. Julius Cheeks), 1982
032-: Rev. Billy Bowers (Former Lead for Ala Blind Boys)- The Hands Of The Lord/ Prayer Will Change Things, 1982
032-: Mae Helen Young and The Voices Of Euphrates- Lord I’ve Tried/ Lord Please Stand By Me (this 45 has no address on the label)
033-: Maurissa Rose 10 Years Old- Lord Listen To Your Children Praying/ The Blood Never Loses It’s Power
033-: Sweetie Pie- What Ever You Need/ Study War No More (this 45 and the one above are both are listed as 033, this 45 has no address on the label)
034-: Maurissa Rose 10 Years Old- Because You’ve Been So Good To Me/ I Do
034-: Jackie Turner Robinson- You Put A Smile In My Life/ Always (this 45 and the one above are both listed as 034, this 45 has no address on the label)
35-: Jean Reed And The Anointed Ones- Open Your Heart/ Jesus My King
035-: The Bill Moss New Creation Leviticus- The End Of Another Day (Soloist Bill Moss & Eric King)/ Let Me Lean On You (I’ll Let You Lean On Me) (Soloist Norman. G, James. S, Eric. K , Bill. M)
036-: The Moss Brothers- Tree Of Life/ Please Try Me One More Time
337-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- Everything Is Going To Be Alright/ One Hundred And 44 Thousand
338-: Bill Moss And The Celestials With Mt. Carmel Church Of God In Christ Choir Of Contsville, Pennsylvania- When God Gets Ready Part 1/ When God Gets Ready Part II
LP’S
350-: Bill Moss And The Celestials- I Have Already Been To The Water
351-: Bill Moss & The Celestials With the mt. carmel c.o.g.i.c. choir of chester, pa. – Solid Rock
352-: Various Artists- Time Is Winding Up
353-: Various Artists- A Song Is Born Volume 1
354-: The Clark Sisters- Jesus Has A Lot To Give
355-: Bill Moss (The Boss) and The Celestials- I Don't Want To Do Wrong
355-: Sweetie Pie- Whatever You Need, 1986 (catalog number is 355 for this release and also for the Bill Moss Lp above)
356-: Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters- Self Titled
357-: Various Artists- A Song Is Born Volume 2
359-: Bishop William Rimson- Turn It Over To Jesus (Sermon)
360-: Missionary Essie Moss- Take One Day at a Time, 1980 (side Two on this lp were recorded by Twinkie Clark, Maria Gardner and Mattie Moss Clark, none of the songs on side Two were sung by Essie Moss)
361-: Bishop William Rimson- The Signs Of Time, 1980
362-: Missionary Essie Moss- Love and Care, 1981
Catalog numbers 016, 026, 032, 033, 034 and 035 (for 45's) as well as LP 355 have all been allocated to two separate releases each for those catalog numbers, both listings for all of these numbers exist.
45’S
0001-: Trumpet-Letts- You Don’t Know My Troubles/ Have You Tried Jesus
0002-: The Mellow Tones Of Detroit, Michigan- Father's Children/ A Long Way From Home
0003-: Sons Of Zion- The Light/ Love In Action
0004-: Essie Moss & Rev Robert Grant Narrating- The Detroit Riot/ Essie Moss- He’ll Say Well Done
0005-: Masonettes- A Mighty Good God/ A Man With Every Thing
0006-: Trumpet-Letts – I Stretch My Hands To Thee/ Take Care Of Me Lord
0007-: Floyd Henley and The Gospel Echo-Ettes - To See Jesus/ The Man From Galilee
0008-: Essie Moss- Time Is Winding Up/ I Had To Tell Somebody
0010-: The Bilesse Singers- Memories Of Dr King/ When I Get To Heaven
0011-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- I’ve Already Been To The Water/ I’ve Got A Satisfied Mind
0012-: Sons Of Zion- My Mother Is Gone/ When I Step Inside
0013-: Sons Of Zion- Standin’ In The Need Of Prayer/ Do You Know Him
0015-: The Luckett Brothers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin- I'll Be So Glad/ I've Got Just What I Want
016-: The Bibletones of Boston, MASS- Lead Me And Guide Me/ Everyday That I Live To See
016-: Claretha Hairston C.O.G.I.C- I Don't Know/ Claretha Hairston and The Greater Love Tabernacle Young Adult Choir C.O.G.I.C.- Savior Like A Shepard (this 45 has no address on the label)
017-: Eastern District Y.P.H.A. Choir of the United Holy Church of America- Rejoice (Solo Daisy Johnson)/ He Looked Beyond My Faults (Solo Anthony Raynor)
018-: Eastern District Y.P.H.A. Choir of United Holy Church of America- Little Country Church (Solo by Mary Herring & Debra Smith)/ Song of Praise
019-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- I'm So Glad My Child Came Home/ Did You Ever Feel Like This
020-: The New Macedonias- Living For Jesus
021-: Sister Minnie Ola Morris- Thank God Now I’m Saved/ I Shall Never Forget
022-: Beverly Carter- Lord Let Your Holy Ghost Come On Down/ Just Another Soldier
023-: Jimmy Lorell Moss (7 Years Old) - Great God Almighty/ Great God Almighty (Instrumental), 1978
024-: Missionary Essie Moss- Take One Day At A Time/ This Little Light Of Mine (Soloist Essie and Linda), 1978
025-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- Rise Again/ You’ve Got To Serve Somebody, 1979
026-: Bill Moss Jr And James Moss- When Teddy Bear Took His Last Ride/ When Teddy Bear Took His Last Ride Part 2, 1980
026-: Rev Sam Fisher and The Gospel Missioners- Do You Know This Man/ I Believe
027-: The Moss Brothers, Bill Jr And Jimmy- Children Don't Go Off With Strangers (Reference To Atlanta's Tragedy)/ I'll Be A Lighthouse For God, 1981
028-: Missionary Essie Moss- Something Wonderful Happened To Me/ The Road Is Rough, 1982
029-: Bishop WM. Rimson- A Prayer For The Sick And Shut In No 1/ A Prayer For The Sick And Shut In No 2, 1982
030-: Lillie Parker Brown- Look Up/ He Increase My Faith
031-: George McAlister And The D.C. Knights- Stop By Here Part One (A Tribute To Rev. Julius Cheeks)/ Stop By Here Part Two (A Tribute To Rev. Julius Cheeks), 1982
032-: Rev. Billy Bowers (Former Lead for Ala Blind Boys)- The Hands Of The Lord/ Prayer Will Change Things, 1982
032-: Mae Helen Young and The Voices Of Euphrates- Lord I’ve Tried/ Lord Please Stand By Me (this 45 has no address on the label)
033-: Maurissa Rose 10 Years Old- Lord Listen To Your Children Praying/ The Blood Never Loses It’s Power
033-: Sweetie Pie- What Ever You Need/ Study War No More (this 45 and the one above are both are listed as 033, this 45 has no address on the label)
034-: Maurissa Rose 10 Years Old- Because You’ve Been So Good To Me/ I Do
034-: Jackie Turner Robinson- You Put A Smile In My Life/ Always (this 45 and the one above are both listed as 034, this 45 has no address on the label)
35-: Jean Reed And The Anointed Ones- Open Your Heart/ Jesus My King
035-: The Bill Moss New Creation Leviticus- The End Of Another Day (Soloist Bill Moss & Eric King)/ Let Me Lean On You (I’ll Let You Lean On Me) (Soloist Norman. G, James. S, Eric. K , Bill. M)
036-: The Moss Brothers- Tree Of Life/ Please Try Me One More Time
337-: Bill Moss & The Celestials- Everything Is Going To Be Alright/ One Hundred And 44 Thousand
338-: Bill Moss And The Celestials With Mt. Carmel Church Of God In Christ Choir Of Contsville, Pennsylvania- When God Gets Ready Part 1/ When God Gets Ready Part II
LP’S
350-: Bill Moss And The Celestials- I Have Already Been To The Water
351-: Bill Moss & The Celestials With the mt. carmel c.o.g.i.c. choir of chester, pa. – Solid Rock
352-: Various Artists- Time Is Winding Up
353-: Various Artists- A Song Is Born Volume 1
354-: The Clark Sisters- Jesus Has A Lot To Give
355-: Bill Moss (The Boss) and The Celestials- I Don't Want To Do Wrong
355-: Sweetie Pie- Whatever You Need, 1986 (catalog number is 355 for this release and also for the Bill Moss Lp above)
356-: Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters- Self Titled
357-: Various Artists- A Song Is Born Volume 2
359-: Bishop William Rimson- Turn It Over To Jesus (Sermon)
360-: Missionary Essie Moss- Take One Day at a Time, 1980 (side Two on this lp were recorded by Twinkie Clark, Maria Gardner and Mattie Moss Clark, none of the songs on side Two were sung by Essie Moss)
361-: Bishop William Rimson- The Signs Of Time, 1980
362-: Missionary Essie Moss- Love and Care, 1981
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