First-ever audio history chronicling the Ru-Jac label with rare singles and previously unissued ’60s soul/R&B

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.

In January, Omnivore will roll out two various artists volumes followed by two more in February, 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.

CD / Digital Track List:

1. Fatback (Take 1) – Lamont Esquires*
2. Please Don’t Go – Jessie Crawford with Kay Keys Band
3. I Love You So – Jessie Crawford with Kay Keys Band
4. A Woman Like You – Little Sonny Daye with The Shyndells Band
5. I’m Through With You – Little Sonny Daye with The Shyndells Band
6. Every Day I Have The Blues (Take 2) – Jeanne Dee*
7. Saving All My Loving – (Mr. T) Tiny Tim
8. It’s Everything To Me – (Mr. T) Tiny Tim
9. I Want To Be Sure – Celestine*
10. You Won – Celestine*
11. Cross Track (Take 2) – Flattop Bobby & The Soul Twisters (Bobby Kinchen)*
12. When I’m Alone – Winfield Parker
13. Can’t You See – Brenda Jones
14. Let’s Go Back To School – Brenda Jones
15. That’s All You Have To Do – Brenda Jones
16. One Of These Mornings (Take 3) – Winfield Parker*
17. Put A Light In The Window – Charles Johnson
18. My Father Watches Over Me – Fruitland Harmonizers
19. Take Care Of Me – Fruitland Harmonizers
20. Something Got A Hold On Me – unknown artist*
21. All Over Again – The Teardrops Band featuring Marie Allen
22. Crying Won’t Help You – The Teardrops Band featuring Marie Allen
23. Trash Can – unknown artist*
24. Don’t Bit Mo – Rockin’ Robin*
25. Foolish To Try – James Hill
26. Meadow Of Love – The Jolly Jax
27. The Monkey Cha Cha – The Jolly Jax
28. Joe (Take 5) – The Jolly Jax*

* Previously unissued.