In 1965 James Brown and his band released a series of earthshaking singles beginning with the syncopated rumble of “I Got You (I Feel Good)” that turned soul music on its ear with their minimal arrangements and relentless grooves. Aspiring soul bands across the country sought to imitate Brown’s intoxicating new sound resulting in a renaissance of rough-shod, independently produced music. Numero Records’ immaculately assembled compilation Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal proves that the irresistible rhythms of James Brown’s funk worked their way into some of the finest gospel music of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Overlooked yet formidable local ensembles like the Voices of Conquest and the Universal Jubilaires turned out fervently performed slices of heady funk easily as innovative and intense as the work of well-known secular groups like the Ohio Players and Funkadelic. This album is truly a treasure trove of forgotten funk gems, and should be of interest to anyone who seeks to understand the far-reaching influence of James Brown and his band.