Under the guidance of producer and music industry veteran Eli "Paperboy" Reed, the Harlem Gospel Travelers grew out of a nonprofit program. Four talented vocalists participating in the Gospel for Teens program met with Reed and began writing songs directly influenced by the sounds of 1960s gospel soul acts. Their nostalgic style was reflected in the retrofitted production of their 2019 debut album, He's on Time. New York-based gospel vocalists Asher Bethune, Thomas Gatling, George Marage, and Stephen Pedley had been involved with Vy Higginsen's music education program Gospel for Teens for several years when Reed became involved with the program in 2014. Reed went from a teaching role to one of mentoring and eventually collaborating with the quartet as the Harlem Gospel Travelers project took shape. As the four vocalists began writing their own songs to mirror the style of the old-school gospel soul acts they were inspired by, Reed put together a backing band and organized recording sessions for the group. These sessions resulted first in a limited-edition 7" single in 2018 as well as the next year's bright and jubilant full-length He's on Time. ~ Fred Thomas