The Soul of Baltimore: The Ru-Jac Records Story, 1963-1980 (4-CD)

by Various Artists

The Baltimore soul/R&B label Ru-Jac Records was founded in 1963 by local promoter rufus mitchell and investor partner Jack Bennett (their names forming the Ru-Jac name). The label primarily released regional soul/R&B singles from 1963 until the mid 1970s, when Mitchell stepped away to focus on another business venture. Omnivore has already released single-artist packages by some of the label’s biggest names, including Winfield Parker – Mr. Clean: Winfield Parker At Ru-Jac (Parker also serves as the consulting producer for all of Omnivore’s Ru-Jac releases) and Gene & Eddie – True Enough: Gene & Eddie With Sir Joe At Ru-Jac. This specially priced 4-CD boxed set pulls togehter the individual volumes which Omnivore has rolled out over the past year—collecting for the very first time anywhere the audio history of Ru-Jac Records. Each volume is produced by the Grammy® Award-winning producer Cheryl Pawelski and Kevin Coombe, East Coast soul historian. Coombe provides liner notes detailing the rise and eventual closure of the label, and its close ties to the segregated beaches and performance spaces of the region. Rare photos and ephemera will be included in each volume to help illustrate and trace the history of the label. Utilizing original tapes, extremely collectible 45s, and acetates, all four volumes underwent extensive restoration and mastering by Grammy® Award-winning engineer, Michael Graves. Volume One: Something Got A Hold On Me: The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume One: 1963–1964 contains 28 tracks, 10 of them previously unissued. The other 18 tracks chart the history of the first 45s issued by the label and includes songs by Winfield Parker, Flattop Bobby & The Soul Twisters, and Brenda Jones among others. Volume Two: Get Right: The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Two: 1964–1966 contains 22 tracks, 8 of them previously unissued, including newly discovered demos by Arthur Conley. The other 14 tracks are derived from 45s issued by the label as Ru-Jac started to gain momentum in the region, and includes songs by Shirley Of The Soul Sisters & Brother, The Mask Man & The Cap-Tans, and Bobby Sax & His House Keepers among others. Volume Three: Finally Together: The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Three: 1966–1967 contains 25 tracks, 11 of them previously unissued. The other 14 tracks are derived from 45s issued by the label as Ru-Jac hit its stride, and includes songs by Rita Doryse, Kitty Lane, Gene & Eddie, and Sir Joe among others. Volume Four: Changes: The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Four: 1967–1980 contains 25 tracks, 3 of them previously unissued. The other 22 tracks are derived from the last 45s issued by the label and demonstrate a change in musical direction both for Ru-Jac and in the country. Included are songs by Fred Martin, Dynamic Corvettes, and Jimmy Dotson & Rhythm By Inner Light Band among others.