Omnivore Recordings rolls out two various artists volumes today followed by two more next Friday, 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. Utilizing original tapes, extremely collectible 45s, and acetates, all four volumes underwent extensive restoration and mastering right here at Osiris Studio by Michael Graves.
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.