Black Jazz Records

NahMean · May-6th-2003, 06:02 PM

Anybody a fan of this label? They've recently reissued much of the catalog on CD and have a website with the same title.

I've been a fan of Doug Carn's albums for a while but recently have been getting into some of the other albums. Herny Franklin-The Skipper is tight. Walter Bishop Jr., Gene Russell, Calvin Keys among others.

Valerie · May-6th-2003, 11:05 PM

There's also a good Rudolph Johnson in the catalog which I don't know if they've reissued yet and a second one by Walter Bishop Jr.

BFrank · May-7th-2003, 12:11 AM

Those Carn albums are the ones that I really like, too. Especially "Adams Apple", which smokes!

What others do you recommend?

NahMean · May-8th-2003, 06:01 PM

Valerie,
Yes there are two Rudolph Johnson albums available now. Spring Rain and the Second Coming. I only know a track or two of his from this best of CD but I really like his playing. Also Walter Bishop Jr. two CDs are Coral Keys, which I am dying to hear more of, and Keeper Of My Soul. The website has sound clips for some tracks and the spirtual funky nature of the albums is not to be denied. I'm curious to learn more about the history of the label. Is Doug Carn the man behind it? Yesterday I was listening to this Gene Russell album called New Direction and it's a beautiful trio set. Also Awakening is another band I'd like to hear more of.

BFrank,
Adams Apple is sweet no doubt. Check Infant Eyes for it's great vocal renditions of Hutcherson's Infant Eyes and Shorter's Infant Eyes. Spirtual Jazz at it's finest. Revelation and Search For A New Land are both great as well.

Pete C · May-8th-2003, 06:04 PM

Doug Carn is active in the Charleston/Savannah area. I saw him in Savannah a few years ago.

NahMean · May-8th-2003, 06:10 PM

Bfrank,
Rereading your post it looks like you already have those Carn albums. I really like Calvin Keys - Proceed With Caution. The album has this real nice guitar/ fender piano vibe. Dope grooves throughout. Cleveland Eaton I know nothing about but the two albums are early 70's funk blowouts. Henry Franklin is a bass player and he has two albums on the label. The Skipper is basically a nice post bop date. The Skipper Comes Home I'm looking to hear as I think it's more groove oriented. Also Kallee Paterson - Maiden Voyage is a nice vocal album worth hearing.

Basically every album I've heard on the label is pretty dope in one way or another.

BFrank · May-8th-2003, 10:38 PM

NahMean - I've got "Infant Eyes" and "Spirit of the New Land", which are both very nice, too.

Thanks for the tips on the other BJ albums.

Valerie · May-9th-2003, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NahMean
Valerie,
Yes there are two Rudolph Johnson albums available now. Spring Rain and the Second Coming. I only know a track or two of his from this best of CD but I really like his playing. Also Walter Bishop Jr. two CDs are Coral Keys, which I am dying to hear more of, and Keeper Of My Soul. The website has sound clips for some tracks and the spirtual funky nature of the albums is not to be denied. I'm curious to learn more about the history of the label. Is Doug Carn the man behind it? Yesterday I was listening to this Gene Russell album called New Direction and it's a beautiful trio set. Also Awakening is another band I'd like to hear more of.

Gene Russell was mostly responsible for producing all the dates if I remember correctly. And I believe Ms. Patterson's name is Kellee.

I used to own every BJ album produced but I'm not sure what I have left. Whatever I do have is in L.A., so I can't check it out right now.

Gary Sisco · May-10th-2003, 09:11 AM

Nah Mean -- Spin some for me in New York! Counting days, baby.

NahMean · May-10th-2003, 10:48 AM

Gary,
You know it! And it's good to be listening to jazz again.

I just ordered Rudolph Johnson's The Second Coming, Henry Franklin's The Skipper Comes Home, and The Awakening's Hear, Sense, and Feel. Its soo cool that these albums are available on cd and for only 13.99. Check www.blackjazz.com if you looking for any of these. These cds don't show up in most record stores.

coltrane · May-10th-2003, 04:37 PM

I have Doug Carn's "Infant Eyes", "Spirit Of A New Land", Walter Bishop Jr's "Coral Keys" and Rudolph Johnsons "Spring Rain". I am in the process of buying them all. I ran into James who is responsible for bring the label back to life, at Aron's Records here in Hollywood about a year ago. He told me the label was going to release Kellee Patersons "Madien Voyage" on CD soon.

Valerie · May-10th-2003, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by coltrane
I have Doug Carn's "Infant Eyes", "Spirit Of A New Land", Walter Bishop Jr's "Coral Keys" and Rudolph Johnsons "Spring Rain". I am in the process of buying them all. I ran into James who is responsible for bring the label back to life, at Aron's Records here in Hollywood about a year ago. He told me the label was going to release Kellee Patersons "Madien Voyage" on CD soon.

Wasn't Kellee's version of Maiden Voyage the first time the lyrics were used?!?

NahMean · May-12th-2003, 05:32 PM

That Kellee Paterson album is available on reissue vinyl. I think Dusty Groove may have it for 8.99. It's worth picking up.

Valerie · May-12th-2003, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NahMean
That Kellee Paterson album is available on reissue vinyl. I think Dusty Groove may have it for 8.99. It's worth picking up.

To be perfectly honest, I don't remember being impressed with her voice way back when. Does anybody know if she's still singing as maybe she's improved with age. She was adorable though!

Mike P · May-12th-2003, 08:42 PM

Kellee Paterson was the first African-American to become Miss Indiana. In 1979 she made what I would classify as a disco album on Shadybrook label. I have also wondered whatever happened to her.

Valerie · May-12th-2003, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike P
Kellee Paterson was the first African-American to become Miss Indiana. In 1979 she made what I would classify as a disco album on Shadybrook label. I see that AMG, lists a 2003 release "Maiden Voyage". However, I've never heard it.

Mike P: I would assume this is the reissue originally recorded in the '70s that's mentioned in previous posts. Not surprised that she was a previous beauty contest winner. She was definitely a cutie! The talk was after the original album came out that it never would have happened if she hadn't been going with the producer, Gene Russell!