One of Jimmy Rushing's last truly great albums – a jazz-tinged session of bluesy material, one that gets at his best work of the 50s! The arrangements are by Al Cohn, and have a fluid swing that pushes Jimmy past cliche – working with players that include Zoot Sims, Budd Johnson, Freddie Green, and Gene Quill in a style that's got all the leaner touches of the Basie band at the same time. Titles include "Heartaches", "Please Come Back", "My Bucket's Got a Hole In it", "Did You Ever", and "Just Because". (Vocalists, Blues) CD

15 Lennon & McCartney songs performed by Stan Webb, Earl Green, Fred James, Charles Walker, Paul Lamb, Johnny Jones, Al Garner, Ruby Turner, Earl Gaines, Fred James, Mo Indigo, and Roscoe Shelton. CD

Funky blues treasures from the late 60s & early 70s – a once-scoffed at movement from a period when aging blues stars and purist blues fans alike were hesitant to accept their beloved style modernized in a funky fashion – but the best of it stands up today as some of the coolest and most unique funk, blues and soul of the era! BGP does a terrific job here of digging a bit deeper then some the more famous blues funk fusions, with numbers by Slim Green, Al King, Icewater Slim, Little Milton, The Johnny Otis Show, Al King, Big Daddy Rucker, Buddy Guy and more. 21 tracks in all: "Shake 'Em Up" by Slim Green, "It Took A Long Time" by Finis Tasby, "I'm Not The Best" by Buddy Guy, "Tough Competition" by Ray Agee, "Eli's Pork Chop" by Little Sonny, "Playing On Me" by Albert King, "Good Feeling" by Freddy Robinson, "Welcome Home" by Lowell Fulson, "Comin' At Ya Baby" by The Johnny Otis Show, "That's What Love Will Make You Do" by Little Milton and more. (Funky Compilations, Blues) CD

Vinson plays alto and sings – in a group that features Art Hillery on piano and organ, Rashid Jamal Ali on tenor, Martin Banks on trumpet, and Cal Green on guitar. CD

A blues album, but one with a difference – thanks to some tremendous help from the legendary Johnny Otis and his young son Shuggie! Despite the fact that the leader is billed as Guitar Slim Green, Shuggie actually plays some lead guitar on the record too – adding in some cool, complicated solos that point towards his genius to come as a solo act – and which also get some nicely romping rhythms from Johnny on drums! The Otis family was definitely bringing a lot of funk into their sound at the time, which they share plenty with Slim here – helping to make the record way more than just another late 60s rootsy blues session, and instead a great west coast criss-crossing of modes. Titles include "Shake Em Up", "My Little Angel Child", "5th Street Alley Boogie", "Old Folks Blues", "This War Ain't Right", and "Big Fine Thing". Also features two bonus tracks, both unissued – "My Marie" and "Rock The Nation". CD

Two years might be a short time for any artist to be in their "prime" – but the quality of these sides is so strong, they've supported the reputation of Furry Lewis for many many years! The set features wonderful low-key material recorded for 78s in the years 1927 and 1928 – all with Lewis on acoustic guitar, but working with an even greater emphasis on his voice – which has all these amazing inflections that so many other singers would copy over the years. Titles include Furry's classic two part "Kassie Jones" – plus "Jellyroll", "Why Don't You Come Home Blues", "Good Looking Girl Blues", "Mistreatin Mama", "Furry's Blues", "I Will Turn Your Money Green", and "Cannonball Blues". CD