GENE RUSSELL “New Direction” CD

★2020 latest remaster edition★ Both CD and LP are imported and available for domestic distribution

Gene Russell, founder of Black Jazz Records, released his first album, New Direction, in 1971, and it's been reissued after 45 years! As the album title suggests, it's a black jazz declaration that makes a great start, setting the course for the label!

Black Jazz Records was born in Oakland, California, and was active for only four years from 1971 to 1975, but it continues to make an impact even after 45 years. The historic label's launch was a piano trio album produced by label founder and producer Gene Russell with Henry Skipper Franklin on bass and Steve Clover on drums. The album starts with the Latin-style "Black Orchid," in which Gene's piano and percussion provide a sweet moment, and the following track "Hitting the Jug" has a gentle sound reminiscent of a jazz cafe, but at the same time, you can enjoy Gene's technique as a pianist. It also includes the jazz standard track "On Green Dolphin Street," originally released as the theme song for the 1947 film "The Earth is Angry." This is a masterpiece with an excellent cover of a classic song such as Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour," which shows off the individual personalities of each player! !

■Track list