James Allen is the 81-year-old director of the Addicts Rehabilitation Center in Harlem. He founded the center in 1957 after he kicked his own habit. Soon after he founded the center in 1957 -- after kicking his own habit -- Allen founded the a cappella Addicts Rehabilitation Center Gospel Choir (ARC).
The choir has a couple of CD's to their credit: 1997's Walk With Me (Mapleshade), and Thank You, Lord (Wea-2004).
Their song "Walk With Me" was heard recently as a sample on the Kanye West song "Jesus Walks." Bassist and choir leader Curtis Lundy joined the choir in 1992, wanting to rid himself of a cocaine addiction. Lundy has worked extensively with the late Betty Carter, as well as with Art Blakey, Fred Hubbard, and Bobby Watson.
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