{"product_id":"various-soul-jazz-presents-the-best-of-black-jazz-records-1","title":"VARIOUS (SOUL JAZZ PRESENTS) - The Best Of Black Jazz Records","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2LP - Black Vinyl.   \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis album brings together some of the finest music ever released on \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Jazz Records\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilar to other independent jazz labels at the time including \u003cstrong\u003eStrata-East Records\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eTribe Records\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Jazz\u003c\/strong\u003e focussed on a number of key artists, most of whom first established their career during this period, and all of whom are featured here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing \u003cstrong\u003eThe Awakening\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eDoug Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eWalter Bishop\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eChester Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eKellee Patterson\u003c\/strong\u003e and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Jazz Records\u003c\/strong\u003e was founded in Oakland, California, by pianist \u003cstrong\u003eGene Russell\u003c\/strong\u003e and percussionist \u003cstrong\u003eDick Schory\u003c\/strong\u003e. The label released twenty albums between 1971 and 1975.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArtists who recorded for Black Jazz Records included \u003cstrong\u003eCleveland Eaton\u003c\/strong\u003e (bassist for \u003cstrong\u003eRamsey Lewis\u003c\/strong\u003e), keyboardists \u003cstrong\u003eDoug Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eChester Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e, vocalist \u003cstrong\u003eKellee Patterson\u003c\/strong\u003e, saxophonist \u003cstrong\u003eRudolph Johnson\u003c\/strong\u003e, bassist \u003cstrong\u003eHenry Franklin\u003c\/strong\u003e, and spiritual fusion group \u003cstrong\u003eThe Awakening\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe label was distributed and financed by \u003cstrong\u003eOvation Record\u003c\/strong\u003es, based in Chicago. Schory founded Ovation in 1969, shortly after leaving \u003cstrong\u003eRCA\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack Jazz launched in 1971 with \u003cstrong\u003eGene Russell\u003c\/strong\u003e’s ‘\u003cem\u003eNew Direction\u003c\/em\u003e’. Russell was the creative force behind the label, acting as producer, engineer and A\u0026amp;R and focussed on developing new solo artists. The most successful of these was \u003cstrong\u003eDoug Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e, who released four albums featuring his wife, \u003cstrong\u003eJean Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e, as vocalist. She later changed her name to \u003cstrong\u003eJean Carne\u003c\/strong\u003e and became a successful soul singer signed to \u003cstrong\u003eGamble and Huff\u003c\/strong\u003e’s \u003cstrong\u003ePhiladelphia International\u003c\/strong\u003e empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSinger \u003cstrong\u003eKellee Patterson\u003c\/strong\u003e gained notice as the first black Miss Indiana in 1971, before recording ‘\u003cem\u003eMaiden Voyage\u003c\/em\u003e’, her debut album for the label. Keyboardist \u003cstrong\u003eChester Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e would go on to join \u003cstrong\u003eTower of Power\u003c\/strong\u003e and later \u003cstrong\u003eSantana\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eThe Awakening\u003c\/strong\u003e featured top veteran musicians from Chicago - the only Chicago group signed to the label. Drummer and percussionist \u003cstrong\u003eArlington Davis Jr\u003c\/strong\u003e, bassist \u003cstrong\u003eReggie Willis\u003c\/strong\u003e, flautist and tenor saxophonist \u003cstrong\u003eRichard\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003eAri\u003c\/strong\u003e) \u003cstrong\u003eBrown\u003c\/strong\u003e and trumpeter \u003cstrong\u003eFrank Gordon\u003c\/strong\u003e were all members of the \u003cstrong\u003eAssociation for The Advancement of Creative Musicians\u003c\/strong\u003e. Trombonist \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Galloway\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eKen Chaney\u003c\/strong\u003e were part of \u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Cohran and The Artistic Ensemble\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Jazz Records\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soul Jazz Records","offers":[{"title":"2LP - Black Vinyl","offer_id":57159210991961,"sku":"SDZ-41891","price":32.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/Soul_Jazz_Presents_The_Best_Of_Black_Jazz_Records_-_CD_-_2026_Compilation_82ee2297-bf52-48ab-8956-769712e6131c.jpg?v=1781245918","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/various-soul-jazz-presents-the-best-of-black-jazz-records-1","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}