Though it's hard to pick a winner among the estimable Black Jazz catalog, this 1972 release from bassist Henry 'The Skipper' Franklin would have to be near the top of the list. Franklin got his start woodshedding with Latin maverick Willie Bobo in the mid-'60s and went on to play with The Three Sounds, but probably his most notable gig prior to this debut album was his stint in Hugh Masekela's band (that's Franklin playing bass with Masekela at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival). For The Skipper, Franklin assembled a crack outfit that included a horn section of trumpeter/flugelhornist Oscar Brashear and tenor & soprano sax man Charles Owens along with a Masekela bandmate in electric pianist Bill Henderson and ace drummer Michael Carvin. This is such a unique, organic recording that it's hard to make comparisons; definitely a little fusion, a little '60s Blue Note feel, and the usual Black Jazz journey to the more lyrical, pop-inspired ('Little Miss Laurie') and funk-infused ('Plastic Creek Stomp') sides of jazz, but perhaps the best comparison is late-'60s Miles before he went electric. In any case, The Skipper is just a joy to listen to from start to finish, beautifully recorded by Black Jazz producer Gene Russell and blessed with some really fine writing, most of it by Franklin himself. Remastered for vinyl by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision and featuring liner notes by Pat Thomas, this Real Gone release is a first-time LP reissue and a must-have! - Real Gone Music

• cream-of-the-crop Black Jazz session led by adventurous bassist
  
• black vinyl pressing
• first time on vinyl since 1973
• remastered sound
• printed insert w/ extensive liner notes
• featuring (b), Oscar Brasheer (t), Charles Owens (t. sax, s. sax), Kenny Climax (g), Bill Henderson (elec. piano),Mike Carvin(d),Fred Lido (perc),Tip Jones (perc)
• music label:Black Jazz Records 2021