Release Date: 03/04/26 - The Best of Black Jazz Records 1971-76
This album brings together some of the finest music ever released on Black Jazz Records who, in their short four-year history, between 1971 and 1975, released over 20 superlative albums which all successfully blended spiritual jazz, funk and soul jazz of the highest calibre.
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Jazz
Label: Soul Jazz Records
Release date:
Black Jazz launched in 1971 with Gene Russell’s ‘New Direction’. Russell was the creative force behind the label, acting as producer, engineer and A&R and focussed on developing new solo artists. The most successful of these was Doug Carn, who released four albums featuring his wife, Jean Carn, as vocalist. She later changed her name to Jean Carne and became a successful soul singer signed to Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International empire. Singer Kellee Patterson gained notice as the first black Miss Indiana in 1971, before recording ‘Maiden Voyage’, her debut album for the label. Keyboardist Chester Thompson would go on to join Tower of Power and later Santana. The Awakening featured top veteran musicians from Chicago – the only Chicago group signed to the label. Drummer and percussionist Arlington Davis Jr, bassist Reggie Willis, flautist and tenor saxophonist Richard (Ari) Brown and trumpeter Frank Gordon were all members of the Association for The Advancement of Creative Musicians. Trombonist Steve Galloway and Ken Chaney were part of Philip Cohran and The Artistic Ensemble.
Track Listings
The Awakening - Mode For D.D.
Doug Carn - Higher Ground
Calvin Keys - Aunt Lovey
Roland Haynes - Eglise
The Awakening - Slinky
Walter Bishop Jr. - Coral Keys
Rudolph Johnson - Diswa
Henry Franklin - Blue Lights
Kellee Patterson - Maiden Voyage
Chester Thompson - Power House
The Awakening - March On
Walter Bishop Jr. - Soul Village
Rudolph Johnson - The Highest Pleasure
About the artist
Black Jazz Records were founded in Oakland, California, by pianist Gene Russell and percussionist Dick Schory. Artists who recorded for Black Jazz Records included Cleveland Eaton (bassist for Ramsey Lewis), keyboardists Doug Carn and Chester Thompson, vocalist Kellee Patterson, saxophonist Rudolph Johnson, bassist Henry Franklin and spiritual fusion group The Awakening. The label was distributed and financed by Ovation Records, based in Chicago. Schory founded Ovation in 1969, shortly after leaving RCA. Schory was a GRAMMY-nominated percussionist who was also known for his development of the stereo recording techniques including Dynagroove and RCA Victor’s Stereo Action.
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This Vinyl product is a:
- Standard Pressing