One of the funkiest records ever recorded for Impulse – and the debut set by guitarist Mel Brown! Mel has a really down-and-dirty style that's quite unusual for the label at the time – a rootsy approach to guitar that's steeped in equal parts jazz, soul, and R&B – and which comes across with a raw power and tasty feel that's perfectly summed up by titles like "Chicken Fat", "Greasy Spoon", "Home James", "Slalom", and "Shanty"! The album features some rare organ work by Gerald Wiggins, drums by Paul Humphrey, and outta-site soul arrangements by Oliver Nelson on a few tracks – but through the whole thing, Brown's the main focus – laying down some deeply funky work on guitar! (Jazz, Blues) LP, Vinyl record album

A funky bit of blues from Otis Rush – the guitarist's debut album, and a surprisingly great batch of tracks recorded at Fame Studios! Production is by Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites, who are clearly going for more of a crossover sound than Rick Hall might have given the set – but that approach is a strong one, as it really brings a hard focus on Rush's guitar, and sets his slyly sliding vocals a bit more back in the mix. Sweet electric Chicago blues before it got over-Alligatorized – with tracks that include "Feel So Bad", "Baby I Love You So", "Me", "Working Man", "You're Killing My Love", and "Can't Wait No Longer". CD