Gene Russell, New Direction (Limited to 1,500 copies worldwide)

‘The first album released from the most sought-after label, bar none, among jazz collectors! Black Jazz was started by keyboardist/producer Gene Russell for Dick Schory’s Ovation Records. Active only from 1971 to 1975, and reputed to be the first jazz label started by an African-American since Sunshine Records in 1921, Black Jazz sought to expand minds as well as hearts, releasing spiritual, socially conscious music that explored such burgeoning genres of the era as funk, soul jazz, and free jazz. Real Gone Music kicks off its Black Jazz reissue campaign with the very first record the label released, entitled, fittingly, New Direction, and performed by label founder Russell. Oft-bootlegged, with original copies commanding princely sums, New Direction, while a fairly straight-ahead piano trio outing, sets the tone for the entire label with its modal and soul jazz flourishes, and features such sidemen as double bassist Henry ‘The Skipper’ Franklin and drummer Steve Clover. Co-produced by Real Gone’s own Gordon Anderson and jazz reissue specialist Zev Feldman, Real Gone’s reissue includes the distinctive original Black Jazz album art along with new liner notes by Pat Thomas, the author of Listen Whitey! The Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975. Transparent clear with heavy black swirl vinyl limited to 1,500 copies worldwide. Pressed at Gotta Groove Records for Record Store Day.

1. Black Orchid 2. Hitting the Jug 3. Willow Weep for Me 4. Listen Here 5. On Green Dolphin Street 6. Silver’s Serenade 7. My Cherie Amour 8. Making Bread

Various Artists, Nativity In Black (Limited to 2,000 copies in U.S. and Canada)

Hard to believe in this day and age, but this killer 1994 Black Sabbath tribute comp was never released on vinyl in the U.S.! The record went Gold, and features the one and only performance (“The Wizard”) by the Bullring Brummies, which takes the term “metal supergroup” to a whole new level: Rob Halford from Judas Priest, Scott “Wino” Weinrich from The Obsessed and Vitus, Fight guitarist Brian Tilse, and Geezer Butler and Bill Ward from Black Sabbath themselves (not to be undone, Ozzy sings with Therapy? on “Iron Man”)! Megadeth got a Grammy nom for their cover of “Paranoid,” too. Colored vinyl release limited to 2,000 copies in the U.S. and Canada, exclusive to Record Store Day

After Forever–Biohazard; Children of the Grave–White Zombie; Paranoid–Megadeth; Supernaut–1000 Homo DJ’s; Iron Man–Ozzy Osbourne with Therapy?; Lord o’ This World–Corrosion of Conformity; Symptom of the Universe–Sepultura; The Wizard–Bullring Brummies; Sabbath Bloody Sabbath–Bruce Dicksinson with Godspeed; N.I.B.–Ugly Kid Joe; War Pigs (Live)–Faith No More; Black Sabbath–Type O Negative

Fight, A Small, Deadly Space (Limited to 2,000 copies)

First-ever vinyl issue (outside of an impossible-to-find Brazilian release) of the second (1995) album from the band led by Judas Priest’s Rob Halford. Also in the band are Judas Priest and Racer X drummer Scott Travis along with Steel Panther guitarist Russ Parrish and Cyanide members Scott Tilse and Jay Jay Brown. Like its predecessor, this album hit the charts; also, like its predecessor, it represented a bold artistic departure for The Metal God, its thrash metal groove a far cry from the Priest sound. Red and black marble vinyl pressing limited to 2000 copies exclusively for Record Store Day, newly created gatefold packaging featuring lyrics! Pressed at Gotta Groove Records.

I Am Alive; Mouthpiece; Legacy of Hate; Blowout in the Radio Room; Never Again; Small Deadly Space; Gretna Greene; Beneath the Violence; Human Crate; In a World of My Own Making; Psycho Suicide