The Best Of Black Jazz Records (CD)

This album brings together some of the finest music ever released on Black Jazz Records which in its short four-year history between 1971 and 1975, released over 20 superlative albums which all successfully blending spiritual jazz, funk and soul jazz of the highest calibre.

Similar to other independent jazz labels at the time including Strata-East Records and Tribe Records, Black Jazz focussed on a number of key artists, most of whom first established their career during this period, and all of whom are featured here.

Featuring The Awakening, Doug Carn, Walter Bishop, Chester Thompson, Kellee Patterson and more.

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Black Jazz Records was founded in Oakland, California, by pianist Gene Russell and percussionist Dick Schory. The label released twenty albums between 1971 and 1975.

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. Schory also pioneered quadrophonic sound, and a number of Black Jazz Records were in quadrophonic and other formats such as ¼” tape and 8-track.

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.

Black Jazz Records released 20 or so superlative albums in a four-year period, all successfully blending spiritual jazz, funk and soul jazz. This album brings together some of the finest music released by the label in its short four-year history, closing its doors finally in 1975.

Tracklist: 

1. The Awakening – Mode For D.D.
2. Doug Carn – Higher Ground
3. Calvin Keys – Aunt Lovey
4. Roland Haynes – Eglise
5. The Awakening – Slinky
6. Walter Bishop Jr. – Coral Keys
7. Rudolph Johnson – Diswa
8. Henry Franklin – Blue Lights
9. Kellee Patterson – Maiden Voyage
10. Chester Thompson – Power House
11. The Awakening – March On
12. Walter Bishop Jr. – Soul Village
13. Rudolph Johnson – The Highest Pleasure