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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 Russell's 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, he's 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 Russell's ivory tickling and Franklin's 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. 

It's hard to go wrong with a Black Jazz album and you won't on this one from the label's creative helm, newly remastered for LP by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision and boasting liner notes by Pat Thomas. First-ever LP reissue. — (via Label)

In the early '70s, Oakland, California-based pianist Gene Russell launched his own Black Jazz Records label to help promote Black musicians with a focus on politically and socially minded jazz, soul, and funk sounds. Russell had scored a hit several years prior with his ebullient trio album Up and Away, playing jazz versions of contemporary pop tunes. He built upon this aesthetic with Black Jazz Records, releasing a handful of funky and expansive albums that gained a cult following. Among his own releases for the label was 1973's Talk to My Lady. An earthy soul-jazz date, it showcased Russell on piano and organ alongside his adept small group featuring bassist Henry Franklin, drummer Ndugu, guitarist Calvin Keys, and conga player Charles Weaver.

The set opens with several Russell originals, including the glowing spiritual jazz title track and the acoustic funk groover "Get Down." Then we get a slow-jam reading of the Billy Paul hit "Me and Mrs. Jones" and a bright, Latin-tinged take on Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." Equally mood-setting vibes pop up throughout the album as Russell sinks softly into the afterglow ballad "For Heaven's Sake" and masterfully builds harmonic tension on the wickedly slow "Blues Suite." There's also a rambling and expansive rendition of "My Favorite Things" that takes inspiration from the classic 1961 John Coltrane version and a wry album-ending version of "If You Could See Me Now" featuring Russell's spoken lover-man take on the lyrics.

As with many of the Black Jazz releases, Talk to My Lady is a perfect balance between romantic dinner-club ambiance and hip counterculture attitude. — (via AllMusic).

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Label: Real Gone Music, Black Jazz Records – RGM-1186
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
Reissued: 2021 / Original: 1973
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz

File under: Black Jazz Records
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