Russell, Gene
Talk To My Lady
In between acting as Producer on all of the Black Jazz label releases, keyboardist Gene Russell also cut two fine albums
for the imprint, of which this is the second, released in 1973. Judging by the quality of their respective solo outings
for the label, the fact that Russells band includes bassist Henry Franklin and guitarist Calvin Keys bodes very, very
well for the quality of this record. And indeed, Talk to My Lady represents a sterling stylistic leap for Russell from
his New Direction album, which was the first release issued on Black Jazz; here, hes leading an electric band instead of
the basic piano trio format found on the former record, and playing a number of original, soul jazz compositions like
"Get Down" and the title tune. As for the covers, both "Me and Mrs. Jones" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" are
heartfelt renditions given a little extra bounce by Russells ivory tickling and Franklins expressive bass playing in
particular, while the version of "My Favorite Things" goes way out beyond what John Coltrane played on his original
Atlantic studio version. Its hard to go wrong with a Black Jazz album and you wont on this one from the labels creative
helm, newly remastered for CD and LP by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision and boasting liner notes by Pat Thomas. First-ever
LP reissue!
Price
Genre
Format
LP · 1 disc
Release
26-02-2021
Label
Item-nr
1286113
EAN
0848064011866
Availability
Not in stock
Tracks
Title
Artist
1
TALK TO MY LADY
2
GET DOWN
3
ME AND MRS. JONES
4
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE
5
YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE
6
BLUES SUITE
7
MY FAVORITE THINGS
8
IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW