Arthur Gunter was a seemingly obscure blues singer who will never be forgotten because he holds a unique place in American pop history. His first recording, Baby Let's Play House in 1954 for Excello Records became one of the first recordings by Elvis Presley. This is the first time both sides of his Excello singles have been collected together in chronological order and the quality of these sessions is exciting and typical of the kind of blues popular in the south. 

Once again Jasmine brings the fuller picture of an artist’s work by collecting sides from throughout his career and across different labels.  Jimmy's raw R&B sound was distinctly different from the smooth almost urbane sounds of his brother Joe Liggins, but both have recordings that give them equal stature among performers of the their era. Jimmy's discs present a sound which is actually far closer to the spirit of rock and roll than many of the discs citied as being influences on the rock and roll explosion including Cadillac Boogie which was the musical basis for Rocket  88 by Jackie Brenston. It's nice to have his Aladdin and Doplex recordings included in this definitive collection. 

This collection is the most complete cross label collection of Percy's recordings ever released.  From his earliest recordings for Gruve-V-Tone through the classic Maxwell Davis produced gems for Specialty and Supreme to the seldom heard sides released on the Imperial, Checker, Cash and 7 Arts labels his genius and soul shine through. If there are any among you who wonder why we call Percy Mayfield the Poet Laureate of the blues these 56 sides on two discs will hopefully go a long way toward answering that question. 

The Spirits of Rhythm were originally billed as a novelty act, but what they really were was an r&b string band. Featuring the madcap vocalizing of Leo Watson and the swinging and articulate guitar playing of Teddy Bunn, the group was kind of a link between the swing string sounds of Django Reinhardt and the good time jive of Louis Jordan.  Using the four and six string tipple as a rhythm instrument, the group wailed madly on many of their up-tempo recordings and also sang sweetly on their pop songs.   

This five CD, L.P. sized, boxed set comes with a 68 page hardcover book and a total playing time of        approximately six hours. This 125 song release is a Godsend as it is the first box set devoted to this blues giant.   This package includes his complete recordings spanning the years 1941-1962.  Songs include the original versions of Rock Me Mamma, That’s All Right, My Baby Left Me, Mean Ol’ Frisco, So Glad You’re Mine and many more.  This Bear Family release includes a researched biography by award winning blues journalist Bill Dahl as well as rare and exclusive photos.

This CD presents Lightnin' Slim's best album which was released in 1960 by Excello. Featuring Lazy Lester or label mate Slim Harpo on harmonica, the stripped-down approach to Lightnin' Slim's brand of blues casts these sides in a decidedly down home ambience. In addition to the original release this remastered edition also contains twelve bonus tracks, consisting of hard-to-find sides released by Excello during the same period. Recorded in Crowley, Louisiana, 1955-1959 this package includes a sixteen page booklet. 

This CD includes Sonny Boy's complete debut LP originally released in 1959.  It’s one of Williamson's finest albums. He is accompanied by such Chicago blues legends as Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Willie Dixon, Otis Spann and Robert Lockwood, Jr. In addition to the original masterpiece, this re-mastered edition also contains fourteen bonus tracks, including a bunch of hard to find sides recorded between 1958 and 1961. All of these great recordings forever changed the sound and style of the blues harmonica. 

This release represents Albert King's debut album which was originally issued in 1962. In addition to the original LP tracks, this re-mastered CD contains eight bonus tracks consisting of hard to find sides released by the small Bobbin label and King Records during the same early period. This set offers listeners the opportunity to hear the development of one of the most important heroes of electric blues. 

This release includes twenty seven studio tracks featuring both A and B-sides for Chess between 1960 and 1962. This is the cream of the crop from Etta's musical legacy, as well as lesser known songs which are just as enjoyable as the hits from this period. All of the singles have been re-mastered. Everyone of these sides was recorded in Chicago, Illinois, between 1960 and 1962. This remarkable package includes a sixteen page booklet. 

For these and thousands more blues titles, click here: