Kingdom Records has signed the Whispers to record the legendary R&B group's first gospel album. Grammy Award-winning gospel icon Fred Hammond is on board to produce several tracks for the project, which is tentatively slated for a fall 2009 release.

"We've been wanting to do this for 10 years," founding member Nick Caldwell states in a press release announcing the project." Best known for such R&B hits as "And the Beat Goes On," "Lady" and "It's a Love Thing," The Whispers has teamed with Pamela Blackman of Joy Management Inc. to manage the group's gospel pursuits.

Established in 2000, Kingdom Records is headed by president/CEO Joan Sullivan. The label's roster includes the Shekinah Glory Ministry, Phil Tarver, Cynthia Jones, Tonya Baker and the Brown Sisters.