There have been plenty of surf rock collections over the years, but this may be one of the coolest – as it spreads its scope far past the sunny beaches of southern California, to embrace a wider range of artists who helped the music find its own formation in the pre-60s years, as well as some other 60s proponents who then took surf-styled guitar overseas! As always with the Fremeaux label, there's a thoughtfulness to the package that really stands out, and which is carried through in the notes, which are in both English and French – great support for the package of 48 tracks that includes work from Dick Dale, The Spotnicks, John Barry, Link Wray, The Revels, Jesters, Shadows, Excellents, Lewis Reed, Rivingtons, Dion, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Jimmie Lane, Pee Wee King, Merle Travis, Sol Hoopii, and others. CD

A Chicago blues trifecta – and the first time ever that Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and Little Waters ever worked together! The set's got a raw power that definitely lives up to the title – a wicked mix of raw guitars, rough rhythms, and some wonderfully soulful vocals – all served up in a style that has the modes of each different player stepping forth into the limelight from track to track, but with the others shouldering forth themselves to challenge the lead! The mix of Bo's twang and Muddy's grit is mighty nice – and Little Walter helps bring a soulful focus that really holds the whole thing together. Titles include "I'm A Man", "Who Do You Love", "Bo Diddley", "I Just Want To Make Love To You", "My Baby", "Long Distance Call", and "You Don't Love Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Features work by Eddie Boyd, Magic Sam, Jody Williams, Johnny Shines, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley, Baby Face Leroy, and others! CD

A classic album from the mighty Slim Harpo, and one that definitely lives up to the "scratch" in the title! That scratch is present strongly in the rhythms – which have this skittish style that's really a precursor to funk, although a lot more rootsy overall – almost Slim's entry to the sort of grooves that Bo Diddley and a few others were laying down in Chicago, but with a more southern quality overall! All the instrumental aspects of the record are wonderful – Harpo's trademark harmonica lines, and his wicked rhythmic guitar – and Slim's vocals are also excellent, too – with this sweetly bending way of coming across that had an undeniable influence on later singers to come. Titles include "Buzzin", "I'm Gonna Miss You Like The Devil", "Wondering Blues", "We're Two Of A Kind", "I Need Money", and "My Little Queen Be". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes music by Albert Ammons, T-Bone Walker, Sol Hoopii, Chet Atkins, Lowell Fulson, Johnny Guitar Watson, Bill Doggett, BB King, Link Wray, Duane Eddy, Bo Diddley, Eddie Cochran, Dr. John, Santo and Johnny, the Ventures, Shadows, Dick Dale, King Curtis, and others – 66 tracks total. CD

Features more than a side of work by Los Lobos – their own 80s takes on Ritche Valens classics – plus more by Bo Diddley, Marshall Crenshaw, Brian Setzer, and Howard Hutsberry. LP, Vinyl record album

A sublime early 70 set of rustic-accented folk, soul & blues from Tim Hardin that's heavy on covers – with tunes penned by Willie Dixon, Randy Newman, and others – in a soulful rock mode that's just ragged enough to give it a loose charm unlike any of Hardin's earlier work! Tim's in fine, effortlessly soulful voice here on material that could have found him going over the top, ala Joe Cocker, but he's tastefully restrained throughout. An underrated gem! Titles include the a loosely buzzing cover of the eternal Bo Diddley via Willie Dixon masterpiece "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" and Dixon's "Do The Do", plus "Midnight Caller", "Yankee Lady", "Lonesome Valley", "Till We Meet Again", "I'll Be Home", "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" and more. LP, Vinyl record album