Free Spirit Records is a small independent British blues label based in Yateley, Hampshire. Founded in 2002 by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Bill Boazman (better known by his performing name Sonny Black), it was established primarily as an outlet for his own acoustic blues recordings after earlier releases on other imprints. The label has focused on traditional acoustic blues, fingerstyle guitar, and related roots styles, reflecting Boazman’s long career in the British blues and folk scenes.
History and Ownership
Bill Boazman began performing in the 1970s on the UK folk club and college circuit under his own name, building a reputation as a singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist. He later adopted the stage name Sonny Black when he formed Sonny Black’s Blues Band in the 1980s, shifting toward electric and band-oriented blues. The group released material including the privately pressed The Filth (recorded 1983–1987) and Smile on the Blues (1993 on Roads Records). After a period with the band the Dukes (which produced Heart & Soul in 2000, named Album of the Year by Blues in Britain magazine), Boazman returned more fully to acoustic and National steel guitar work.
In 2002 he launched Free Spirit Records specifically to control the release and distribution of his subsequent recordings. The label was distributed for a time by Red Lick Records, though that arrangement was later interrupted. A separate electronic/trance label trading as Free-Spirit Records (with a hyphen) has operated since around 2006 and is unrelated. Free Spirit remains a modest, artist-driven imprint centered on Boazman’s music rather than a large roster of outside acts.
Notable Artists and Recordings
The label’s catalog is dominated by Sonny Black (Bill Boazman) himself. Key releases include:
- Free Spirit (FS100, 1998 – sometimes listed under the nascent label identity) – an early title bridging his band and solo acoustic periods.
- Blues of a Kind (FSCD002, 2002) – one of the first proper Free Spirit releases, showcasing fingerstyle and slide acoustic blues.
- The Blue Way (FSCD003) – further exploration of traditional blues forms and original material.
- The Corner Seat (FSCD004, 2006) – intimate acoustic performances highlighting Boazman’s guitar technique and songwriting.
- The Best of Days (FSCD0005, 2007) – a later collection drawing on his mature acoustic style, blending blues, ragtime influences, and originals.
These albums emphasize solo or sparsely accompanied acoustic guitar (often National steel), vocals, and a repertoire that mixes classic blues structures with original compositions. Boazman has also released a guitar tutorial DVD, Jazzin’ the Blues (under his real name), reflecting his interest in teaching fingerstyle and blues techniques.
While the label has not developed a wide roster of other artists in the manner of larger independents, its output remains closely tied to Boazman’s live performances and BBC radio appearances (including sessions for Paul Jones and Johnnie Walker on Radio 2). Earlier band-era recordings by Sonny Black’s Blues Band and the Dukes, though not all issued on Free Spirit, form the broader context for the label’s existence.
Other Styles and Context
Free Spirit’s focus is firmly on acoustic and traditional blues. Boazman’s playing incorporates elements of ragtime, jazz standards, and fingerstyle techniques alongside classic blues forms. The label does not appear to have expanded significantly into other genres, remaining a vehicle for authentic, unamplified or lightly accompanied roots blues in the British tradition of artists who draw on American country blues and Piedmont styles while developing a personal voice.
Legacy
As a small, artist-owned imprint, Free Spirit Records exemplifies the independent spirit of the early-2000s British blues scene, where musicians created their own outlets when major or mid-sized labels offered limited opportunities for pure acoustic blues. By allowing Bill Boazman/Sonny Black full creative control, the label has preserved a body of thoughtful, guitar-centered recordings that continue to appeal to fans of traditional acoustic blues. Though its catalog is modest compared with larger historical reissue labels, Free Spirit stands as a genuine expression of one musician’s commitment to the music he has played for decades.
