Rudolph Johnson: Spring Rain Vinyl LP Rudolph Johnson

”Columbus, Ohio’s Rudolph Johnson drew comparisons to John Coltrane during his career; like the jazz legend in his later years, Johnson eschewed drugs or alcohol and spent his time every day either meditating and rehearsing on his horn. You can definitely hear a little bit of Coltrane in Johnson’s playing on this, his 1971 debut release for the Black Jazz label, the first of two he recorded for the imprint and the first he recorded as a leader after some sideman work (most notably for organist Jimmy McGriff); his ability to explore the upper registers and overtones of his tenor sax while retaining control is quite striking. Of course, this being a Black Jazz release, along with the bebop sounds of ‘Sylvia Ann’ and the mid-’60s Blue Note stylings of ‘Sylvia Ann,’ there’s the soul jazz of ‘Diswa’ and the groove funk of ‘Devon Jean,’ all played by, as is typical on Black Jazz releases, by top-notch sidemen including drummer Raymond Pounds, who’s played with everybody from Stevie Wonder to Pharoah Sanders to Bob Dylan, and pianist John Barnes, whose work is very familiar to Motown fans. Bassist Reggie Johnson, who appeared on Walter Bishop, Jr.’s Coral Keys, rounds out the quartet. Remastered for vinyl and featuring liner notes by Pat Thomas.” – Real Gone Music

• rare soul jazz LP on vinyl for the first time since 1974
• black vinyl pressing
• remastered sound
• printed inner sleeve w/ extensive liner notes
• featuring Rudolph Johnson (t. sax), John Barns (p), Reggie Johnson (b), Ray Pounds (d)
• music label: Black Jazz Records 2021