This is the first in a series of mixes inspired by the music from Black Jazz Records. The founders were Gene Russell and Dick Schory who created the record label around 1969 and released albums from 1971 to 1975, promoting the talents of young African American jazz musicians and singers
With the turn of the turn-of-the-seventies and the emergence of revolutionary developments from Electric Miles, Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane and
John Coltrane, the funky mutations of soul and jazz, Black Jazz Records took full advantage of all the possibilities that lay ahead for jazz.
Black Jazz Records was the first black-owned jazz label in 50 years and they achieved the kind of music status that most ’70s and '80s indie record labels could barely dream of.
Later DJs Gilles Peterson and Theo Parrish, made mixes and a compilation album focusing on the Black Jazz label. Through the music, you will hear in my first mix I hope to give you a flavour of what they brought to the jazz world, and how much the music from Black Jazz Records means to me from their short existence.
A further note – in 1971, the first Black Jazz Record album released was Gene Russell’s New Direction, which inspired the birth of NuDirections FM.
Although the label only lasted a little over five years Black Jazz Records carved its place in the history of jazz.
Essential info
Website - https://www.nudirectionsfm.com
NDFM Music player - https://pod.co/nudirections
email - [email protected]
Please enjoy the music We love.
NDFM
Playlist
Art Ensemble of Chicago - Thème de Yoyo
Gene Russell - Black Orchid
Rudolph Johnson - The Highest Pleasure
Marcus Belgrave - Space Odyssey
Walter Bishop - Keeper of My Soul
Walter Bishop - Coral Keys
Doug Carn – Acknowledgement
Cleveland Eaton - All Your Lover, All Day, All Night
Chester Thompson - Power House
Kellee Patterson - Maiden Voyage
Calvin Kets - Aunt Lovey
The Awakening - Kera's Dance
Walter Bishop Jr. - Soul Village
Kellee Patterson - Magic Wand of Love
The Awakening - Prologue - Spring Thing
Mor Thiam - Ayo Ayo Nene
Henry Franklin - Beauty And The Electric Tub
Black Jazz Discography & Band Leaders
1 Gene Russell - New Direction - 1971
2 Walter Bishop Jr. - Coral Keys 1971
3 Doug Carn - Infant Eyes 1971
4 Rudolph Johnson - Spring Rain 1971
5 Calvin Keys - Shawn-Neeq 1971
6 Chester Thompson - Powerhouse 1971
7 Henry Franklin - The Skipper 1972
8 Doug Carn - Spirit of the New Land 1972
9 The Awakening - Hear, Sense and Feel 1972
10 Gene Russell - Talk To My Lady 1973
11 Rudolph Johnson - The Second Coming 1973
12 Kellee Patterson - Maiden Voyage 1973
13 Walter Bishop, Jr. - Keeper of My Soul 1973
14 Doug Carn - Revelation 1973
15 The Awakening - Mirage 1973
16 Doug Carn - Adam's Apple 1974
17 Henry Franklin - The Skipper At Home 1974
18 Calvin Keys - Proceed With Caution! 1974
19 Roland Haynes - The Second Wave 1975
20 Cleveland Eaton - Plenty Good Eaton 1975
21 Doug Carn - New Incentive: Firm Roots 2001
Black Jazz Records 12 band leaders
- Gene Russell
- Walter Bishop Jr.
- Doug Carn
- Rudolph Johnson
- Calvin Keys
- Chester Thompson
- Henry Franklin
- The Awakening
- Kellee Patterson
- Roland Haynes
- Cleveland Eaton
Jazz Matters
Jazz Matters is a not-for-profit hobby project that I’m extremely proud of.
It began life in May 2021 as NuDirections, a weekly radio show on a London community station. That spirit of discovery still runs through everything I do.
But today, Jazz Matters has evolved into a global podcast platform for Jazz and World music lovers — reaching over 40,000 open-minded listeners across 57 countries on more than 24 platforms.2025/6 marks a new era. My love of music has always gone beyond Jazz, so I’ve created two distinct but connected spaces here
Jazz Matters: Podcasts, Playlists and Music Videos.
Jazz Lines: Blogs, Interviews, Gallery & Pulse for Who's Shaping the Scene.
I’m also preparing a full digital relaunch from my new studio, from 1st May 2026, then every Jazz Matters podcast, mix, and special will stream exclusively from my website—no third-party platforms and no algorithms. Until then, you can listen here and on 24+ podcast platforms.
Alongside the music, you’ll find in Jazz Lines, my platform for blogs, interviews, gallery, and pulse that links to things that catch my ear and eye. A bold new chapter begins soon. New location. New music player. New studio.
Jazz Matters. Because the music — and everything around it — truly does.
Enjoy the music I love