One of the preeminent acts in American gospel, The Winans did more than keep the faith. They melded the musical traditions of the church with the plush sound of ‘80s R&B, an innovation that earned them a secular audience, too. Formed in Detroit in 1980 by brothers Ronald, Marvin, Carvin, and Michael, The Winans first came to prominence after signing to Andraé Crouch’s Light Records label. The brothers made a wider breakthrough with 1985’s Let My People Go, which combined their rich harmony singing with a lush and contemporary production style. Another album that featured both romantic ballads and songs of worship, 1987’s Decisions featured guest contributions by Anita Baker and Michael McDonald. While The Winans’ recording career wound down after 1995’s Heart and Soul, the brothers continued to record and perform as part of a multi-generational array of Winans acts that included their younger siblings BeBe and CeCe, their parents, Delores and David (a.k.a. Mom and Pop), and many more that were equally at home in the worlds of gospel and R&B.