Founded by Gene Russell in Oakland, California, in 1971 and very much revived during 1996 by UK label, Universal Sound Records, on their retrospective compilation, Black Jazz Records released a sum total of 20 recordings. These LPs- mostly by independent, little known players- had a strong, instantly recognisable identity in their cover art and have become highly collectible over the decades. This is not to underplay their musical excellence. Players such as keyboardist Doug Carn (with Jean Carn), Walter Bishop Jr, The Awakening and bassist Henry Franklin produced music which is still enjoyable, influential and relevant today. Excellent 'Best Of's have been compiled by Universal Sound, Theo Parrish and Gilles Peterson. My take serves as an introduction at a time when some of the 20 are being reissued on vinyl. Recorded during March 2020 in Kent.