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An unusual album from Arthur Louis – and a set that features some surprising guest work from Eric Clapton on guitar! Louis has this raspy style that's not far from Clapton's – and the presence of the famous guitar definitely helps shape the sound of the record too – giving it a compressed but rocking style that's at the sharper edge of the British scene in the 70s. Things are never too slick, but they're tight enough to not be gritty either – a surprising balance that's a bit different than more commercial albums of this nature. Gene Chandler provides guest vocals on "The Dealer" – and other titles include "Knockin On Heaven's Door", "Plum", "Been On The Road Too Long", "Train 444", and "It Feels Good".

Possibly one of the best-remembered albums by John Mayall's legendary Blues Breakers combo – thanks to vocals and guitar from a young Eric Clapton! Clapton at this point is way fresher than in later years – not prone to cliches, and still coming across with a raw, edgey power that is drenched in American blues tradition. Mayall's great too – wailing on harmonica, organ, and piano – and other members of the core group include John McVie on bass and Hughie Flint on drums – augmented by contributions from UK jazzers John Almond on baritone sax and Alan Skidmore on tenor. Titles include "All Your Love", "Little Girl", "Key To Love", "Parchman Farm", "Have You Heard", "It Ain't Right", and "Steppin Out".

One of Aretha's undisputed classics – a seminal session that furthered her deep soul agenda with key backings from Arif Mardin and Tom Dowd! The Sweet Inspirations provide sublime backing vocals behind Franklin's maturing delivery of the lyrics – and the music is by an all-star group of players that includes Spooner Oldham, Bobby Womack, Jimmy Johnson, King Curtis, Tommy Cogbill, Roger Hawkins, and even Eric Clapton! Cuts include "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman", "Chain Of Fools", "Money Won't Change You", "Come Back Baby", and "Ain't No Way". CD includes 4 bonus tracks "Chain of Fools (unedited version)", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (mono single version)", "Since You've Never Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) (mono single version)", and "Ain't No Way (mono single version)"!

Just the kind of cool high-concept work we love from A&M Records – an all-star project with performances by Jessi Colter, Eric Clapton, Bernie Leadon, Waylon Jennings, and others!

A very cool Elektra compilation – with rare non-Buddah work by the Lovin Spoonful, plus material by Al Kooper, Tom Rush, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Eric Clapton & The Powerhouse!

Features performances by The Who, Elton John, Eric Clapton, and Tina Turner.

Mac really steps out on this one – pushing past his usual hip studio take on New Orleans soul, to a more expansive style that includes performances by a host of surprise guests like Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, PP Arnold, Graham Bond, and Doris Troy. That loping, trippy groove of John's is still firmly in place, shifted slightly – kind of a New Orleans meets post 60s London style. There's also a really unique, kind of mellow Cajun folk blues thing going on, and it balances a lot of really disparate elements in a fairly unified feel. It's sort of like Captain Beefheart playing lounge piano in a swamp – an ambitious style that you really have to respect and appreciate. Titles include "Craney Crow", "Black John The Conqueror", "Zu Zu Mamou", and "Pots On Fiyo" "Where Ya At Mule", "Familiar Reality", and more.

Mojo scores an exclusive interview with Eric Clapton – which takes a look at his time in The Yardbirds, Cream and beyond – plus features on agit rock icon Yoko Ono at 80-years-old, the enduring Depeche Mode, Eric Burdon, Alvin Lee, Sandie Shaw, Deerhunter, Stephen Stills, Time Machine, Jake Bugg, a look back at Red Wedge '86 with Paul Weller, Billy Bragg and The Smiths, and much more! Includes, as ever, the depth and insight of the Mojo new releaase and reissue reviews – and a free CD! Blues Breakers – 15 Classic Tracks features classic blues that Clapton favored and covered – with cuts by Freddy King, Big Bill Broonzy, Skip James, T-Bone Walker, Howlin Wolf, Otis Rush, Robert Johnson and more.

John Mayall's definitely getting back to his roots here – and he's also getting help from an all-star cast as well! Mayall's vocals and piano are in fine form – almost with a rough-edged Blues Breakers sort of vibe, but sometimes a bit funkier too – in ways that strongly show the evolution of the older Brit blues groove into some hipper, more soul-drenched territory. Players on the record are a range of familiar names – including Eric Clapton on guitar, Johnny Amond on sax and flute, Harvey Mandel on guitar, Sugarcane Harris on violin, and Keef Hartley on some especially nice drums. Titles include "Prisons On The Road", "Groupie Girl", "My Children", "Home Again", "Blue Fox", "Boogie Albert", "Unanswered Questions", "Goodbye December", "Force Of Nature", and "Dream With Me". CD also features bonus tracks too – including "Accidental Suicide (1988 rmx)", "Force Of Nature (1988 rmx)", "Boogie Albert (1988 rmx)", "Television Eye (1988 rmx)", "Looking At Tomorrow (1988 rmx)", "Mr Censor Man (1988 rmx)", and "Home Again (1988 rmx)".

A well-done look at the legendary Ahmet Ertegun – founder of the equally legendary Atlantic Records, and a key force in popular music during the 20th Century! The DVD features rare clips, classic performances, and other great visuals – with appearances from Solomon Burke, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, David Geffen, Robert Plant, Leiber & Stoller, Chris Blackwell, Jerry Wexler, and Ertegun himself. Narration is by Bette Midler – but hey, what are you gonna do?

White Boy reggae recorded at the height of the genre's climb to fame – at a time when a guy like Eric Clapton, or even worse, the silly-looking Johnny Wakelin, could put out a reggae record with confidence. Fortunately, Johnny's real claim to fame is the great novelty number here – "Black Superman" – a huge worldwide hit, and a pretty great little number about Muhammad Ali. The rest of the record's in a similar vein – not really bad, just pop reggae sounding, or proto disco grooving. Titles include "You Got The Bug", "Cream Puff", "In Zaire", "Me I'm A Capricorn", and "Sleep On Baby".