All Categories — 7-inch  

A great lost single from Chess! The a-side, "Pennant Fever", features the 1969 Chicago Cubs, singing a version of "Fever" with vocals about their (soon to be aborted) run for the world series. The real treat, though, is the flipside, the instrumental "Slide", by the Chicago Cubs Clark St. Band – most likely a Chess/Cadet studio group, fronted by a hard-wailing organist. The organ player is great, and the instrumental track is a really nice groover – with great Hammond riffs and groovy guitar parts.

2 funky numbers by Pigmeat! "Here Comes The Judge" is a great take on the famous routine – with some tight Gene Barge backings that start with some great drum bits, as Pigmeat calls out the routine between the funky grooves! "The Trial" is straight comedy, with no music – but still nice.

2 rare sides by Jo Ann Garrett – recorded after her album on Chess, with production by Andre Williams! "One Woman" is a sweet, sad ballad – pretty nice, but the real treat here is "Now Girl"! That tune's got a snapping little groove – just a touch of funk coming into play with Chicago soul, loping over the top like the best cuts on Jo Ann's classic LP!

One of the few great obscure singles cut by Chicago soul singer Jackie Ross. Although Jackie had earlier fame on Chess, her later work is all quite good – and this single benefits from some great writing and production by James Van Leer. The a-side's a nice mellow number, but we like the flip even better, which has a strong mid-tempo groove.