"MARANATHA - SOON" (PSYCHEDELIC X-IAN US 1971)

Maranatha are a Christian group from New Milford, New Jersey and are formed by "Charlie Rizzo" (lead guitar, vocals), "Richard Alvarez" (rhythm guitar), "Barry Gretz" (bass guitar, piano), "Steve England" (drums), "Dave Shannon" (vocals), "Isaiah 'Ike' McKinnon" (vocals), and "Larry Stephan" (bass guitar, acoustic guitar and background vocals).
They recorded their lone album "Soon" in 1971 (No label, 1971). "Soon" is a very GREAT Christian Psychedelic record with Hard-Rock touches and acoustic ballads.
It starts out as a fairly humble Christian Folk-Rock LP, then gradually lays on its jammy guitar-Rock, reaching outstanding heights on side 2.


Maranatha was sponsored by the New Milford Church Of The Nazarene (who also sponsored several concerts in New York City.
The first one was held in Carnegie Hall and the second was in the Felt Forum (part of Madison Square Garden), these concerts were called "Jesus Joy" and had quite the collection of 'Jesus Music Stars'.



After recording "Soon", Maranatha toured up and down East Coast evangelizing for 2 years with a variety of other members and instrumentations continuing the work.
Maranatha's guitarist "Charlie Rizzo" ("Charles J. Rizzo", Pastor, Maranatha Church Of The Nazarene, Paramus, New Jersey) would later emerge with "Emmaus Road Band", a more Southern-Rock band.


Maranatha's "Soon" is ultra-rare; it is rumored that only 500 were pressed out.
"Soon" is easily one of the top US Christian Rock band.
Never reissued, and hard to find.
This record is GREAT!