Pastor T. L. Barrett

Born in Jamaica, New York, on January 13, 1944, Thomas Lee Barrett, Jr. grew up in Chicago, where he became a fan of local soul music. The son of a pastor and musician, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and moved to the Queens district of New York, where he worked with his uncle in a hospital. He worked at various odd jobs and played piano in hotels, before returning to Chicago to become a pastor. Graduating in 1961, he became pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Washington Park from 1968 to 1976. Among the congregation were members of Earth, Wind & Fire and Donny Hathaway. With The Youth for Christ Choir, comprising some forty children aged 12 to 19, he recorded several gospel albums open to soul and funk, such as Like a Ship (Without a Sail), which included the 1976 cult song of the same name, and others such as I Found the Answer (1973) and Do Not Pass Me By (1976). Released in 1977, Roots is a two-sided sermon. Forgotten at the time, T.L. Barrett was rediscovered in the late 2010s by a host of artists, in the form of samples by Kanye West or Loyle Carner, covers by the likes of Richard Ashcroft, or the use of his tracks in film and television. In 2021, Numero Group, a label specializing in reissues, released a 4-CD, 39-track compilation entitled I Shall Wear a Crown.

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