James Bronson described his Touché label as a ‘floating record label’, comparing it to the ‘floating gambling houses’ that Black people in his city had operated to try and avoid attention from the law. The label itself was a private enterprise, run from home, and had scant budget for promotion nor expansion. His slogan “Record companies don’t make music, musicians do” spoke volumes as to his respect for the artist. Nevertheless, the Al Tanner LP ‘Happiness Is... Takin' Care of Natural Business... Dig?’ was the first of just 3 albums the label was to release over the following 20 years.

For an ambitious musician with ideas of fame and fortune, the situation may have appeared far from acceptable, but pianist Al Tanner didn’t have such aspirations. He may have recorded an album for Bronson, but his ambition of living his life as a working musician was fulfilled – he was a professional until the day he died – and that of being a recording star wasn’t a part of it. He was much more inclined to be a gigging jazzman, and was well-known as such in and around the local Bay Area nightspots. He was also heavily involved in musical education, and could be found performing at countless local community events, schools and recreation centres.

1   Zaltanica
2   The Magi
3   Kuba!
4  Poor Me
5   Bronson's Blues
6   Rolon's Groove