Black Talk! is an album by organist Charles Earland, recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label.Prestige Records discography accessed March 8, 2013Jazzlists: Charles Earland discography, accessed November 28, 2017Charles Earland discography, accessed November 30, 2017
Reception
The initial Cashbox review stated that "jazz organist Charles Earland has come out of nowhere onto the charts. Assisted by Virgil Jones, trumpet; Houston Person, tenor sax; Melvin Sparks, guitar; Idris Muhammad, drums; and Buddy Caldwell, conga, Earland has made an album that has a wider appeal than any jazz organ set we can remember." The magazine noted the five selections and ended the review with "Watch this one closely for further action."Cashbox Popular Picks (Album Reviews), July 18, 1970 page 40, retrieved January 25, 2026
AllMusic awarded the album 5 stars with reviewer Scott Yanow calling it "one of the few successful examples of jazz musicians from the late '60s taking a few rock and pop songs and turning them into creative jazz" and stating that "fans of organ combos are advised to pick up this interesting set".Yanow, S. AllMusic listing accessed March 8, 2013
The title track is also featured in the 1972 film and its respective soundtrack Fritz the Cat.
Chart performance
The album debuted on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated July 11, 1970, peaking at No. 108 during a nineteen-week run on the chart. The album debuted on the Cashbox Top 100 Albums 101-140 chart in the issue dated July 18, 1970, and remained on the chart for six weeks, peaking at No. 115.Cashbox Top 100 Albums, 101-140, August 15, 1965 page 36, retrieved January 25, 2026 via worldradiohistory.com Track listing All compositions by Charles Earland except where noted. "Black Talk" – 7:50 "The Mighty Burner" – 3:04 "Here Comes Charlie" – 8:15 "Aquarius" (James Rado, Gerome Ragni, Galt MacDermot) – 8:00 "More Today Than Yesterday" (Pat Upton) – 11:10
Personnel Charles Earland – organ Virgil Jones – trumpet Houston Person – tenor saxophone Melvin Sparks – guitar Idris Muhammad – drums Buddy Caldwell – congas (on tracks 2 & 5)
Sampled Track 4, "Aquarius", was sampled by Nujabes on the 2005 track "Modal Soul" on the album of the same name.
Charts
Chart (1970) Peakposition US Billboard Top LPs108 US Cashbox Top 100 Albums115 References