BIRTHRIGHT RECORDS
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Birthright Records, owned by Dr. Byron Spears, was a black owned Los Angeles, California gospel record label, which lasted from the mid 1970's until the late 1980's. Birthright is the renamed label of Bee Gee Records and is a division of Bee Gee Records, also owned by Dr Spears, it was distributed by Ranwood Records of Los Angeles, being distributed by Word Records and eventually distributed by Light Records. The label was based at 3101 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles; by the late 1980's the label had moved to Pasadena, California. Among its most prolific performers were Edwin Hawkins and Rodena Preston. Some of the releases had both a Birthright Records catalog number and a Light Records catalog number, which occurred with 4050, which was also listed as Light 5887. The numbering system does not seem to follow a pattern, going from the 4000, 5000 and to the 70000 series. The years of issue are directly from the lp, this can be confusing as release 4011, had 1978, while releases 4016 and 4020 are recorded as 1977. Please note, despite some folks and other sites mentioning Gabriel Hardeman and his wife, as the founders of Birthright, that is incorrect, although Gabriel Hardeman recorded on Birthright Records, Birthright was founded and owned by Dr Spears.
LP's
4001-: Stan Lee- Tomorrow, 1976
4002-: The Caravans- Share, 1976
4003-: Voices Of Watts- God Is What You Need, 1976
4004-: Rodena Preston With The Voices of Deliverance- There's Been A Change, 1976
4005-: Edwin Hawkins & The Edwin Hawkins Singers- Wonderful, 1976
4006-: Edwin Hawkins Presents The Matthew Sisters- Self Titled, 1977
4007-: The Pattersons- Dear Jesus I Love You, 1977
4008-: The Henry Jackson Company- Saved, 1977
4009-: The East St. Louis Gospelettes- Love Is The Key, 1977
4010-: Michael & Tamara- Heavenbound (white Christian release)
4011-: New Revelation Baptist Church Choir Of Pasadena, California- A Mighty Good Thing!, 1978
4012-: Rodena Preston Presents Voices Of Faith featuring Rodena Preston & Jeanne Jackson- Look Where God Has Brought Us, 1977
4015-: Voices Of Glory- Do You Wanna Go, 1978 (listed as Fran Harden's Voices Of Glory on back cover and Fran Harden & The Voices Of Glory on the label)
4016-: Trumplettes- Is God Satisfied With Me, 1977
4017-: Rodena Preston and The Voices Of Deliverance- Holdin' On, 1977
4018-: Randolph Sills- Determination
4019-: The Second Coming- Self Titled, 1978 (listed as Somebody Said on back cover)
4020-: Edwin Hawkins And The Edwin Hawkins Singers- The Comforter, 1977
4021-: Spirit Of Love (of Chicago, ILL)- The Power Of Your Love, 1978
4022-: Rodena Preston & The Voices of Deliverance- Revive Us Again, 1980
4023-: Brenda Holloway- Brand New, 1980
4024-: The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation- Feels Like Fire, 1981
4025-: Edwin Hawkins With The Oakland Symphony Orchestra- Self Titled
4027-: Biblical Gospel Singers- He Will Provide, 1981
4029-: Michael Orr and The Book Of Life- Love Will Rise, 1981
4031-: Carmen Brown- Small Things, 1982
4032-: Barbara Ward Farmer and the Wagner Alumni Choir- Self Titled, 1982 (this is a later issue of her Sweet Rain album for wider distribution)
4033-: Carthan Ensemble- Go To The Rock, 1982
4036-: Emmitt Powell Gospel Elites- Stay With The Lord, 1982
4038-: Calvin Bridges & The Faith Tabernacle Voices- So Much To Be Grateful For, 1983
4039-: Jerry Lee & Company- Searching
4041-: Gabriel Hardeman Delegation- Talk, 1983
4042-: Lem McCall- ...I Will Survive!
4043-: Bernard Sterling & The Company- Lord Remember Me, 1983
4044-: Carter, Cooney & Wells- Mighty Power
4045-: Edwin Hawkins and The Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Angels Will Be Singing, 1984
4046-: Grand Rapids Mass Choir II Featuring Joyce Nance- Self Titled, 1984
4049-: Edwin Hawkins- Edwin Hawkins Christmas Album, 1985 (also listed as 5904)
4050-: Edwin Hawkins With Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Have Mercy, 1985 (also listed as 5887)
5887-: Edwin Hawkins With Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Have Mercy, 1985
5904-: Edwin Hawkins- The Edwin Hawkins Christmas Album, 1985
70202-: Edwin Hawkins- Angels Will Be Singing
70206-: Brenda Holloway- Brand New, 1980
70207-: The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation- Feels Like Fire, 1981
70208-: Edwin Hawkins Live With The Oakland Symphony Orchestra- Volume I
70209-: Biblical Gospel Singers- He Will Provide, 1981 (also issued above as 4027)
70210-: Edwin Hawkins Live With The Oakland Symphony Orchestra- Volume II
70213-: Carter, Cooney & Wells- Mighty Power, 1984
70214-: Rodena Preston and the Voices Of Deliverance- The Old Rugged Cross
70216-: Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi- Another Direction, 1988
70217-: Rodena Preston The Voices Of Deliverance- Where Peaceful Waters Flow, 1987
70218-: The Preston Family- The Preston Family Album Recorded Live
70219-: Wendell Rhodes Presents Grand Rapids Mass Choir- Volume 1, We Are On Our Way Up
70220-: Ladies Of Song- Try Jesus
70221-: Shelton Kilby- Yield Not
70300-: Edwin Hawkins And The Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Give Us Peace, 1987
70301-: Lynette Hawkins Stephens- Baby Sis
70302-: Veronica Howell- Free, 1987
70303-: Grand Rapids Mass Choir III- What Are You Waiting For?, 1987
70304-: Rev. Rhyme- According To Rap
70306-: Walter Hawkins and The Family- Special Gift, 1988
70309-: Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church Choir- Always, 1988 (Listed as "I'LL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS" on the label)
70310-: the Bay Area Chapter Choir of the Music & Arts Seminar- Hold On, 1987
70315-: The Edwin Hawkins Music & Art Seminar Mass Choir- That Name, 1988
45's
201-: Brenda Holloway- Giving Love/Giving Love, 1980
600-: Edwin Hawkins & The Edwin Hawkins Singers- By And By/ He Won't Leave You
601-: East St. Louis Gospelettes- Have A Talk With God (Vocal Frances Moore)/ Glory Road (Vocal Frances Moore), 1977
602-: Edwin Hawkins And The Edwin Hawkins Singers- Everything Will Be Alright/ Everything Will Be Alright, 1977
603-: Spirit Of Love- The Power Of Your Love (Soloist Ann Craft)/ Fill Me Up, Fill Me Up, 1978
603-: Spirit Of Love- The Power Of Your Love (Soloist Ann Craft)/ The Power Of Your Love (Soloist Ann Craft), 1978
LP's
4001-: Stan Lee- Tomorrow, 1976
4002-: The Caravans- Share, 1976
4003-: Voices Of Watts- God Is What You Need, 1976
4004-: Rodena Preston With The Voices of Deliverance- There's Been A Change, 1976
4005-: Edwin Hawkins & The Edwin Hawkins Singers- Wonderful, 1976
4006-: Edwin Hawkins Presents The Matthew Sisters- Self Titled, 1977
4007-: The Pattersons- Dear Jesus I Love You, 1977
4008-: The Henry Jackson Company- Saved, 1977
4009-: The East St. Louis Gospelettes- Love Is The Key, 1977
4010-: Michael & Tamara- Heavenbound (white Christian release)
4011-: New Revelation Baptist Church Choir Of Pasadena, California- A Mighty Good Thing!, 1978
4012-: Rodena Preston Presents Voices Of Faith featuring Rodena Preston & Jeanne Jackson- Look Where God Has Brought Us, 1977
4015-: Voices Of Glory- Do You Wanna Go, 1978 (listed as Fran Harden's Voices Of Glory on back cover and Fran Harden & The Voices Of Glory on the label)
4016-: Trumplettes- Is God Satisfied With Me, 1977
4017-: Rodena Preston and The Voices Of Deliverance- Holdin' On, 1977
4018-: Randolph Sills- Determination
4019-: The Second Coming- Self Titled, 1978 (listed as Somebody Said on back cover)
4020-: Edwin Hawkins And The Edwin Hawkins Singers- The Comforter, 1977
4021-: Spirit Of Love (of Chicago, ILL)- The Power Of Your Love, 1978
4022-: Rodena Preston & The Voices of Deliverance- Revive Us Again, 1980
4023-: Brenda Holloway- Brand New, 1980
4024-: The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation- Feels Like Fire, 1981
4025-: Edwin Hawkins With The Oakland Symphony Orchestra- Self Titled
4027-: Biblical Gospel Singers- He Will Provide, 1981
4029-: Michael Orr and The Book Of Life- Love Will Rise, 1981
4031-: Carmen Brown- Small Things, 1982
4032-: Barbara Ward Farmer and the Wagner Alumni Choir- Self Titled, 1982 (this is a later issue of her Sweet Rain album for wider distribution)
4033-: Carthan Ensemble- Go To The Rock, 1982
4036-: Emmitt Powell Gospel Elites- Stay With The Lord, 1982
4038-: Calvin Bridges & The Faith Tabernacle Voices- So Much To Be Grateful For, 1983
4039-: Jerry Lee & Company- Searching
4041-: Gabriel Hardeman Delegation- Talk, 1983
4042-: Lem McCall- ...I Will Survive!
4043-: Bernard Sterling & The Company- Lord Remember Me, 1983
4044-: Carter, Cooney & Wells- Mighty Power
4045-: Edwin Hawkins and The Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Angels Will Be Singing, 1984
4046-: Grand Rapids Mass Choir II Featuring Joyce Nance- Self Titled, 1984
4049-: Edwin Hawkins- Edwin Hawkins Christmas Album, 1985 (also listed as 5904)
4050-: Edwin Hawkins With Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Have Mercy, 1985 (also listed as 5887)
5887-: Edwin Hawkins With Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Have Mercy, 1985
5904-: Edwin Hawkins- The Edwin Hawkins Christmas Album, 1985
70202-: Edwin Hawkins- Angels Will Be Singing
70206-: Brenda Holloway- Brand New, 1980
70207-: The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation- Feels Like Fire, 1981
70208-: Edwin Hawkins Live With The Oakland Symphony Orchestra- Volume I
70209-: Biblical Gospel Singers- He Will Provide, 1981 (also issued above as 4027)
70210-: Edwin Hawkins Live With The Oakland Symphony Orchestra- Volume II
70213-: Carter, Cooney & Wells- Mighty Power, 1984
70214-: Rodena Preston and the Voices Of Deliverance- The Old Rugged Cross
70216-: Five Blind Boys Of Mississippi- Another Direction, 1988
70217-: Rodena Preston The Voices Of Deliverance- Where Peaceful Waters Flow, 1987
70218-: The Preston Family- The Preston Family Album Recorded Live
70219-: Wendell Rhodes Presents Grand Rapids Mass Choir- Volume 1, We Are On Our Way Up
70220-: Ladies Of Song- Try Jesus
70221-: Shelton Kilby- Yield Not
70300-: Edwin Hawkins And The Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir- Give Us Peace, 1987
70301-: Lynette Hawkins Stephens- Baby Sis
70302-: Veronica Howell- Free, 1987
70303-: Grand Rapids Mass Choir III- What Are You Waiting For?, 1987
70304-: Rev. Rhyme- According To Rap
70306-: Walter Hawkins and The Family- Special Gift, 1988
70309-: Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church Choir- Always, 1988 (Listed as "I'LL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS" on the label)
70310-: the Bay Area Chapter Choir of the Music & Arts Seminar- Hold On, 1987
70315-: The Edwin Hawkins Music & Art Seminar Mass Choir- That Name, 1988
45's
201-: Brenda Holloway- Giving Love/Giving Love, 1980
600-: Edwin Hawkins & The Edwin Hawkins Singers- By And By/ He Won't Leave You
601-: East St. Louis Gospelettes- Have A Talk With God (Vocal Frances Moore)/ Glory Road (Vocal Frances Moore), 1977
602-: Edwin Hawkins And The Edwin Hawkins Singers- Everything Will Be Alright/ Everything Will Be Alright, 1977
603-: Spirit Of Love- The Power Of Your Love (Soloist Ann Craft)/ Fill Me Up, Fill Me Up, 1978
603-: Spirit Of Love- The Power Of Your Love (Soloist Ann Craft)/ The Power Of Your Love (Soloist Ann Craft), 1978
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