Religious, polyphonic music, characterised by question and answer playing between the cantor and the congregation, an uplifting structure and ditto instrumental accompaniment. Together with secular styles such as blues and jazz, gospel forms the basis of rhythm & blues and soul. Because gospel itself also contains elements of blues and jazz, the genre was viewed with suspicion by pious believers at the beginning of the twentieth century. The music was even labeled as devilish for a moment. Advocates such as Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993) ensured that gospel was still embraced by the church. From the United States gospel eventually spread all over the world. Especially the gospel choirs in Africa developed a unique sound.