Jean Russell "New Directions"

PLP-7146
Format: LP
Price: 3,600 yen + tax Release date: April 28, 2021

★BLACK JAZZ 2021 reissue
★2021 latest remastered edition ★With obi strip, imported edition for domestic distribution

Black Jazz Records founder Gene Russell's first album, New Direction, released in 1971, has been reissued after 45 years! As the album title suggests, it is 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." The covers of classic songs such as Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour," which show off the individual personalities of each player, are also excellent masterpieces!

■Track list