Big Walter Horton: Live At The Knickerbocker - JSP Records  This U.K. label has just  re-issued these live recordings from the 1970's. They are are some of the finest examples of Horton's later recordings and feature a young and energetic band that includes guitarist Ronnie Earl and pianist Little Anthony Gerachi, the amazing Ola Dixon on drums and the rock solid vocals of Sugar Ray Norcia. Walter's loose and creative playing over the tough grooves the band lays down is inspiring and really entertaining. I love this record! – C.L.

Dr. Ross: The Memphis Cuts -  JSP Records This set of prime post war recordings captures the one man band at the peak of his prowess in the early days of down home blues. This collection includes tracks never heard on CD before. This CD comes from compiler Neil Slaven’s personal library. If you don’t have any of Dr. Ross’ material this is a great place to start. – C.L.

Lou Ann Barton : The Best  - Rockbeat Records Very few singers black or white can match the grit and groove of Lou Ann Barton. Praised by many great singers like Etta James and Buddy Guy, she has made a wonderful body of work which is sampled on this set of issued and unissued recordings. Her take no prisoners approach to songs has always made her a favorite. Her connection to everything good in the Texas music scene is shown off on this CD. Besides sampling her records for Antone’s and Atlantic, this set also has some unissued tracks cut in the 70's with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. - C.L.

Big Joe Turner: The Real Boss of the Blues - Ace Records The Bluestime label was started by Flying Dutchman Records in the late 1960s to issue albums by blues greats, hoping to cash in on the expanding blues boom of the early 70's. In just over a year, ten albums were released and Ace Records out of the UK will be releasing them on CD for the first time. Big Joe Turner's release features a hip 70's era studio band adding a lightly funky edge to the blues chestnuts featured on this set. As with other releases in this series, there is a socially conscious song, Plastic Man, that reflects the times in which it was recorded. This first ever CD issue also has two live recordings from Carnegie Hall that were not included on the original vinyl issue. – C.L.

Otis Spann:  The Sweet Giant of the Blues – Ace Records Ace Records continues its exploration of Bob Thiele's Bluestime label releases with this hard to find session. Originally released in 1969, it features a collection of West Coast session players who update Spann's sound, but never step on his musical persona. Socially conscious lyrics and Spann's wonderful vocals are featured along with his solid keyboard work. – C.L.

T-Bone Walker: Every Day I have the Blues – Ace Records This session from August, 1969, was also originally released on the Bluestime label and has never been available since its initial vinyl release. Using session players like Tom Scott and Max Bennett the results are a pleasant and slightly funky updating of Bone’s sound. This set also features two live recordings from 1970 which did not appear on the original issue. Like the other two offerings in this series on Big Joe Turner and Otis Spann, this is not the place to begin building your library on these artists. However, for collectors and fans who want just one more album from one of the true greats, this, as is the case with the other two offerings in this series, is an interesting late career document. – C.L.

Elmore James – The Ultimate Collection – Not Now Records This release could easily be called a gigantic slab of slide. This three disc, sixty song collection of   intense Chicago blues is essential listening and a must for any comprehensive blues library. The original versions of blues standards like Dust My Broom, The Sky is Crying, Shake Your Money Maker, Madison Blues and others are mixed in with more obscure yet equally powerful material. –D.M. 

Kid Ramos: Two Hands One Heart -  Rip Cat Records This April 15^th release is a welcome re-issue of a long out of print album. This record has been a personal favorite of mine for nearly twenty years. Guest vocalist Janiva Magness sings on three tracks, but it is Ramos’ old buddy Lynwood Slim who steps up to the mic to sing on ten of the album’s original sixteen tracks. The album was remixed and remastered by Rip Cat label owner and founder, Scott Abeyta. He did a marvelous job in coaxing an earthy, organic sound out of a previously over compressed master. The results are spectacular. This re-issue also features three additional alternate takes. – D.M.

Bobby “Blue” Bland: The Duke Years 1952-1962 -  Not Now Records The album title pretty much says it all. This three disc, 56 track masterpiece gathers material from the most dynamic portion of Bland’s long career. It is during this period that Bland made some of the most exciting music ever recorded. With the possible exception of Ray Charles, seldom has the melding of soul, blues, gospel and rhythm and blues ever had such beauty and urgency. The combination of great material, wonderful arrangements, stellar musicianship and the unequaled voice of Bobby Bland make this music timeless. Much of this material overlaps the Duke Anthology, but this set digs deeper into the most verdant decade of Bland’s enormous catalogue.  –D.M. 

Mike Bloomfield: From His Head To His Heart To His Hands – Sony Records This wonderful three disc plus DVD anthology features released and unreleased gems from solo sessions to live performances from The Fillmore East, The Fillmore West, The Bottom Line and other historic venues. This compilation also features a fascinating new mini-documentary DVD combining vintage audio interviews with Bloomfield and live performances with new reflections from his friends, collaborators and admirers.  Guitarist Mike Bloomfield never got his due as one of the go-to sidemen of his generation or for his importance as a common thread in the patchwork of genres that changed the face of rock and roll in the 1960s and 1970s. This set goes a long way towards rectifying that. – C.L.