{"product_id":"the-best-of-black-jazz-records","title":"The Best Of Black Jazz Records","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"177\" data-end=\"509\"\u003eThis collection brings together key recordings from Black Jazz Records, one of the most distinctive independent jazz labels of the early 1970s. Active between 1971 and 1975, the Oakland-based imprint released around twenty albums that fused spiritual jazz, funk and soul with a strong collective identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"511\" data-end=\"806\"\u003eFounded by \u003cstrong data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"538\"\u003eGene Russell\u003c\/strong\u003e and Dick Schory, Black Jazz centred on a small group of artists, many of whom first came to prominence during this period. Russell acted as the label’s creative core, overseeing production, engineering and A\u0026amp;R, and prioritising original voices over commercial trends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"808\" data-end=\"1344\"\u003eFeatured artists include \u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"850\"\u003eThe Awakening\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"852\" data-end=\"865\"\u003eDoug Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"884\"\u003eWalter Bishop\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"886\" data-end=\"906\"\u003eChester Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"931\"\u003eKellee Patterson\u003c\/strong\u003e, alongside key contributors such as \u003cstrong data-start=\"968\" data-end=\"986\"\u003eHenry Franklin\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1007\"\u003eRudolph Johnson\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1012\" data-end=\"1031\"\u003eCleveland Eaton\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cstrong data-start=\"1033\" data-end=\"1046\"\u003eDoug Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e emerged as the label’s most prolific figure, releasing four albums that featured vocalist \u003cstrong data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1150\"\u003eJean Carn\u003c\/strong\u003e, who later found wider success under the name Jean Carne. \u003cstrong data-start=\"1209\" data-end=\"1229\"\u003eKellee Patterson\u003c\/strong\u003e recorded her debut for the label, while \u003cstrong data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1290\"\u003eChester Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e would go on to join Tower of Power and later Santana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1346\" data-end=\"1734\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1346\" data-end=\"1363\"\u003eThe Awakening\u003c\/strong\u003e brought together veteran musicians from Chicago’s AACM circle, reflecting the label’s wider connections within progressive jazz. Though its lifespan was brief, Black Jazz Records produced a remarkably consistent and influential catalogue. This album highlights some of the finest moments from that four-year run, capturing the spirit and ambition that defined the label.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Various Artists","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57375674499407,"sku":"4891","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0887\/6785\/6975\/files\/213825-various-black-jazz-records-the-best.jpg?v=1775045492","url":"https:\/\/secondlinerecords.com\/products\/the-best-of-black-jazz-records","provider":"Second Line Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}