That was the sound of 54 hands clapping. The Sounds of Blaciness didn't win a Grammy (they've already got three, thank you) but last Friday the veteran Twin Cities vocal-and-instrumental ensemble captured their first NAACP Image Award.
"Yes, after 10 or so NAACP Image Award nominations, this is the Sounds of Blackness' very first win and we are ecstatic," said Sounds director Gary Hines.
The Sounds — a 27-member group founded in 1971 — are known for doing gospel, R&B and all kinds of music from the black experience. But this Image Award came in the world-music album category.
Said Hines: "That's a great honor and validation of the international scope of our repertoire and of this CD, 'The Sounds of Blackness.'"
