Pedal-steel virtuoso Robert Randolph -- a rising star on the jam-band circuit -- recently signed a deal with Warner Bros. But his roots are here, in the griddle-hot, little-heard gospel music that's been developing in the House of God Church community for the past 60 years. This set (compiled by John Medeski, the keyboard guru who collaborated with Randolph on last year's The Word) is drawn from the archives of the venerable folk and blues label Arhoolie. The sound quality is raw at times, but the playing is a revelation. No country player -- not even Speedy West -- ever made a steel guitar howl, weep, or roar like these guys. MAKE SOME (JOYOUS) NOISE The Florida congregation on Aubrey Ghent's scorching ''Praise Music,'' recorded at a Howard Johnson Motor Lodge, brings more racket than an arena full of Slayer fans.
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