A wonderfully down to earth book from the great Bobby Rush – southern bluesman by birth, and a key figure on the Chicago scene in the 60s and 70s – with a mighty long story that's told here in words that are very much his own! Co-author Herb Powell helps polish things up a bit, but never too much – and Bobby spends a heck of a lot of time laying out his youth, influences, and early years of struggle – which is great, as the history and setting are very illuminating – not just to Rush's own career, but to an understanding of the way that so many blues and soul artists of his generation had to find their own path forward. Hardcover edition is 306 pages, with a section of photographs in the middle. Book

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A definite assortment of gems – pulled together here in an early collection from Ace/Kent records – well-selected material that includes "Call On Me" by Bobby Blue Bland, "Competition Ain't Nothin" by Carl Carlton, "Evil One" by The Sapphires, "It's A Crying Shame" by Len Barry, "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" by The Tams, "Tell Her" by Dean Parrish, "Treat Her Right" by Roy Head, "Gonzo" by James Booker, "Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman, "Mama Didn't Lie" by The Fascinations, "Homework" by Otis Rush, and "Boomerang" by Tom & Jerryo. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, Eddie Boyd, John Lee Hooker, Little Junior Parker, Slim Harpo, Otis Rush, BB King, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson, Guitar Slim, Lowell Fulson, Bobby Bland, Little Milton, Albert King, and Etta James – 20 tracks in all. CD

Funky keyboard work from Frank Strazzeri – a player who's really stretching out here in the 70s, with a massively cosmic vibe you'd never have guessed from his earlier work! Strazzeri had recorded and played heavily around the LA scene by the time of this mid 70s release – but most of his other work was a bit restrained, and hardly as wonderfully soulful as this! Frank's working here on moog and electric piano – in a group that includes Sam Most on tenor, Bobby Shew on trumpet, and Don Alias on percussion – grooving with Frank in a gently funky way that's got a heck of a lot of soul, and which makes for some nice extended tunes. Titles include "After The Rain", "Rush Hour", "Philadelphia Flyer", "Cloudburst", and "The Third Eye". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible collection of southern soul – and actually way more than the usual CD compilation, and almost instead a time machine back to the glory days of the genre! The set comes in a heavy slipcase, with a huge booklet of notes – not just track-by-track stories on all the 75 songs in the package, but also beautiful vintage images of the southern scene from which these deep soul tracks come – great photographs that are a great accompaniment to the often-narrative tracks in the set. The music is a mix of tracks from southern soul giants, and some key lesser-known acts – and as you'd expect from Kent, the whole thing goes way past the hits – and features plenty of obscure numbers too. Titles include "A Sad Sad Song" by Charles Crawford, "Mary Jane" by Bobby Rush, "If Loving You Is A Crime" by Lee Moses, "Go On Fool (ext)" by Marion Black, "Someone To Take Your Place" by Bill Locke, "I Got Everything I Need" by Eddie Floyd, "I've Got Memories (demo)" by Melvin Carter, "Give Me Back The Man I Love" by Barbara West, "Somebody Done Gone Took My Baby & Gone" by Joey Gilmore, "Depend On Me" by Steve Dixon, "Going Back Home" by Ground Hog, "Just A Touch Of Your Hand" by Al Gardner, "Sure As Sin" by Jeanie Greene, and "Please Don't Desert Me Baby" by Gloria Walker & The Chevelles. CD

A really great album by Billy Eckstine – much more swinging and upbeat than some of his other 50s sessions, and with a strongly pronounced jazz flair overall! The album's supposedly recorded live in Vegas in the wee hours of the morning, and features Billy blowing a bit of trumpet as well as singing – all set to some nicely thumping orchestrations by Bobby Tucker, who really knows how to hit the right groove for this sort of a set. Titles include "Lady Luck", "Have A Song On Me", "Deed I Do", "Without A Song", "Moonlight In Vermont", and "Lush Life". CD features a huge amount of previously unissued bonus tracks – titles that include "Prelude To A Kiss", "Fools Rush In", "I Apologize", "Little Mama", "Prisoner Of Love", "Alright Okay You Win", and "In The Still Of The Night". CD

The great Harold Mabern kicks it hard with a key core group – then finds a way to open up with some surprise guest artists as well – including singers Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, and Norah Jones! The core of the album features Mabern's piano rocketing out with rhythm from John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums – and getting some strong tenor work from the mighty Eric Alexander – and as the set goes on, the group also brings in Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Peter Bernstein on guitar, and Steve Turre on trombone. But the key force here is the singers – especially Porter and Elling, who seem to find an old school space with the group that really takes them back to their roots. Elling sings on "You Needed Me", "Portrait Of Jennie", and "Billie's Bounce"'; Porter sings on "Afro Blue" and "The Man From Hyde Park"; Monheit sings on "I'll Take Romance" and "My One & Only Love"; and Norah Jones sings on "Don't Misunderstand" and "Fools Rush In". CD also features Alexis Cole on "Such Is Life" – and the instrumental tracks "The Chief", "Mozzin", and "Bobby Benny Jymie Lee Bu". CD

The great Harold Mabern kicks it hard with a key core group – then finds a way to open up with some surprise guest artists as well – including singers Gregory Porter, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, and Norah Jones! The core of the album features Mabern's piano rocketing out with rhythm from John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums – and getting some strong tenor work from the mighty Eric Alexander – and as the set goes on, the group also brings in Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Peter Bernstein on guitar, and Steve Turre on trombone. But the key force here is the singers – especially Porter and Elling, who seem to find an old school space with the group that really takes them back to their roots. Elling sings on "You Needed Me", "Portrait Of Jennie", and "Billie's Bounce"'; Porter sings on "Afro Blue" and "The Man From Hyde Park"; Monheit sings on "I'll Take Romance" and "My One & Only Love"; and Norah Jones sings on "Don't Misunderstand" and "Fools Rush In". CD also features Alexis Cole on "Such Is Life" – and the instrumental tracks "The Chief", "Mozzin", and "Bobby Benny Jymie Lee Bu". CD

A storming second album from Dave Weld – a contemporary figure on the Chicago blues scene, and one who's often joined on vocals by female singer Monica Myhre! The presence of Monica makes the record almost feel more like a collaborative ensemble outing – still blues, but with some old school soul elements – kind of a blues fusion with older Memphis or southern modes at times – and less the traditional Chicago blues you might expect. Part of that also comes from a larger horn section on a few numbers – who flesh out the sound. The album also features Bobby Rush on guest harmonica – and titles include "Slip Into A Dream", "Tremble", "Walk On Down", "Sweet Rockin Soul", "Looking For A Man", "May Be Right May Be Wrong", and "20% Alcohol". CD

Includes tracks by Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, Rosco Gordon, BB King, Robert Belfour, Bobby Rush, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Rev Gatemouth Moore. CD

A really fantastic little package – one that presents a key look at the farther reaches of Mississippi in the 60s, 70s, and 80s – served up in rare photographs, essays, readings, films, and a great batch of music all collected by William Ferris! Starting in the mid 60s, Ferris sought to document the disappearing scene around him – and emerged as almost a one-man version of Smithsonian/Folkways – as you'll discover in this fantastic box, which includes 1 DVD of film footage, plus a CD of rare blues, another CD of gospel, and a third CD featuring interviews and stories from Alex Haley, Barry Hannah, Bobby Rush, Shelby "Poppa Jazz" Brown, James "Son Ford" Thomas, BB King, Ray Lum, Pecolia Warner, and others! As usual with Dust-To-Digital, the whole package is beautiful – and includes a fabric-covered box with a heavy, hardcover book that features rare photos by Ferris, plus writings by Scott Barretta, David Evans, and Tom Rankin. Music is by James "Son Ford" Thomas, Lovey Williams, Scott Dunbar, Tom Dumas, Lovey Williams, Sam Myers, Sonny Boy Watson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, James Hughes, Rose Hill Church, Walter Lee Hood, Fannie Bell Chapman, The Southland Hummingbirds, and many more! CD

Three killer albums from pianist Frank Strazzeri – all brought together in a wonderful demonstration of his genius during the 70s! First up is Taurus, a record that's also known as View From Within – a date that has Frank playing Fender Rhodes with a wonderful sound – that open quality he always had in acoustic piano, stretched out even more with the space allowed by The Rhodes! The group features work from Conte Candoli on trumpet, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Don Menza on tenor and flute, in a nicely laidback vibe – with tracks that include "Strazzatonic", "Taurus", "Lazy Moments", "View From Within", "Calcutta", and "Sphinx". Frames is a great overlooked set from the 70s – one that has the mighty Frank Strazzeri working some real magic on Fender Rhodes – with an open style that's completely wonderful, and warmed up even more with help from Don Menza on soprano sax and flute, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Gary Barone on trumpet. Titles include "Frames", "Injun Jo", "Jo Gee", "Ballad Of The Matador", and "La Mosca". After The Rain is filled with funky keyboard work from Frank Strazzeri – a player who's really stretching out here in the 70s, with a massively cosmic vibe you'd never have guessed from his earlier work! Strazzeri had recorded and played heavily around the LA scene by the time of this mid 70s release – but most of his other work was a bit restrained, and hardly as wonderfully soulful as this! Frank's working here on moog and electric piano – in a group that includes Sam Most on tenor, Bobby Shew on trumpet, and Don Alias on percussion – grooving with Frank in a gently funky way that's got a heck of a lot of soul, and which makes for some nice extended tunes. Titles include "After The Rain", "Rush Hour", "Philadelphia Flyer", "Cloudburst", and "The Third Eye". CD

An absolute funky monster! This set lays out an incredible batch of funk era singles from the vaults of Galaxy Records – and it shakes and burns all the way through, with lost funk bombs Bobby Rush, Rodger Collins, Bill Coday, Bobby Eaton, the Debonairs and others! It's comprised of mostly obscure 45s representing the stone funkiest records ever released by the Oakland-based Galaxy label – which was at this point sort of serving as the farm club for big brother label Fantasy Records. This one's essential, kids – just as worthy of your funk-loving dollar as the legendary rare funk compilations on Jazzman, Soul Fire or Stones Throw! 22 tracks in all: "Foxy Girls In Oakland", "Get Your Lie Straight", "Chicken Heads" by Bobby Rush, "Bring It On Up" by Loleatta Holloway, "I Love Her Too" by Lenny Williams, "People Say" by JJ Malone, "Try The Life" by Everyday People, "Man Power" (previously unreleased) by Ben & Larry, "My Money Is Funny" by the Right Kind, "The Iron Horse" by Merl Saunders & Heavy Turbulence, "I Get What I Want" by the Sequins and lots more! CD

The funky third volume of the Living In The Streets series – and easily the best in this great series – a really hard and heavy batch of rare funk tunes that pushes past the cliches of the title to come up with an all-solid batch of tracks that's sure to please any fan of deep funk. Loads of great little groovers from a range of different labels – organ jazz meets heavy soul vocals meets dancing bassline funk, hard drums, heavy riffing, and beyond – all wrapped up together with a sound that never lets up. Tracks include "Mary Jane" by Bobby Rush, "Bustin Outta The Ghetto" by Carlos Malcolm, "I'm A Good Woman" by The Generation, "Dance Girl" by The Mighty Tom Cats, "Peace Love Not War" by Johnny King with The Fatback Band, "The Truth Shall Make You Free" by King Hannibal, "I'm Wishin" by Lorez Alexandria, "I've Known Rivers" by Gary Bartz, "Viva" by Jade, "Seeds Of Life" by East LA Car Pool, "Starvin" by Winfield Parker, and "He Called Me Baby" by Spanky Wilson. CD

The funky third volume of the Living In The Streets series – and easily the best in this great series – a really hard and heavy batch of rare funk tunes that pushes past the cliches of the title to come up with an all-solid batch of tracks that's sure to please any fan of deep funk. Loads of great little groovers from a range of different labels – organ jazz meets heavy soul vocals meets dancing bassline funk, hard drums, heavy riffing, and beyond – all wrapped up together with a sound that never lets up. Tracks include "Mary Jane" by Bobby Rush, "Bustin Outta The Ghetto" by Carlos Malcolm, "I'm A Good Woman" by The Generation, "Dance Girl" by The Mighty Tom Cats, "Peace Love Not War" by Johnny King with The Fatback Band, "The Truth Shall Make You Free" by King Hannibal, "I'm Wishin" by Lorez Alexandria, "I've Known Rivers" by Gary Bartz, "Viva" by Jade, "Seeds Of Life" by East LA Car Pool, "Starvin" by Winfield Parker, and "He Called Me Baby" by Spanky Wilson. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Lazy Lester, Larry Davis, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, BB King, Lightning Slim, Jimmy McCracklin, Johnny Guitar Watson, Bobby Bland, Big Maybelle, Tarheel Slim, Ray Charles, Jimmy Reed, Wilbert Harrison, Magic Sam, Ann Cole, John Lee Hooker, Little Junior Parker, and Slim Harpo. CD

Heavy funk from the vaults of Jewel and Paula Records – that Louisiana family of labels that cut some mighty mean music in the 60s and 70s! Jewel and Paula were more than able to come up with the goods again and again over the years – with roots in the south, and artists in styles that included blues, gospel, and jazz – which makes for a really fresh, really unique criss-crossing of modes here – in a set of singles that dig way deeper than the usual hits from the label! There's no stock, standard groove here – as you might find on labels that had a more unified approach to the music – which makes this collection of singles even more filled with surprises than you might expect. The styles run from funky blues to deep soul, instrumental funk, group soul, and more – and titles include "Loose Booty (part 1)" by The Eldorados, "Shootin The Grease" by Jesse Gresham Plus 3, "Looking For A Woman" by Joe Perkins, "Get It On With Me" by Bobby Rush, "Prove It" by The Genies, "Loose Eel" by Dumas King, "The Thrill Ain't Gone" by Alex Williams, "The Hen (part 1)" by Louis Chachere, "Woman Hang Your Head In Shame" by The Wallace Brothers, "Good Thing (part 2)" by Casey Jones, "Black Reflections" by Essence, "Junkie For Your Love" by Cash McCall, "Impeace Me Baby" by Arlene Brown, and "My World" by The Four Shades. CD

Great gritty grooves from this wonderful series – a sublime set of R&B tracks, but all chosen from the perspective of later soul music too! The tracks are a nice change from the older style R&B compilations – as they all have a great little groove, and plenty of elements that really point the way towards 60s soul – both in the instrumentation and the really great vocals over the top! We totally trust the Outta Sight label for their choices in Northern Soul – and with sets like this, we find we can equally trust their choices in older music too – thanks to a sweet set list that includes "I Really Love You" by Jeanie Allen, "Homework" by Otis Rush, "I'm Shakin" by Little Willie John, "What Have I Done" by Jimmy Rogers, "Just Like You Like It" by Clennt Gant, "What A Mess" by Bobby Adams, "Gonna Catch Me A Rat" by Milt Trenier, "I'll Have To Let You Go" by Sally Stanley, "Crap Shottin Sinner" by Cile Turner, "Keep A Callin" by Paul Perryman, "I Want You Here Beside Me" by Johnnie & Joe, "Oriental Garden" by Ramona King, and "Lost In Sin" by Spirit Of Memphis. CD

Music from Little Junior Parker, Bobby Bland, Little Milton, Tommy Tucker, BB King, Junior Wells, Lowell Fulsom, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, ZZ Hill, Albert Collins, and more. CD

The full scope of Verve's massive recordings from the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival – served up in a 2CD set that includes many lesser-known numbers! The set certainly features some of the bigger name acts from Newport who've filled Verve's catalog over the years – Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and others – but it also features some of the younger, hipper talents that hit the Newport stage that year – as well as some of the older trad players who were being re-exposed to a younger audience at the festival too! 2CD set features 24 tracks in all – some on CD for the first time – including "I Never Knew" by Mat Mathews, "Blue Lou" by Leon Sash, "Love Is Here To Stay" by Carmen McRae, "Blues For Louis" by Bobby Henderson, "Bourbon Street Parade" by George Lewis, "Between Me & Myself" by Toshiko Akioshi, "Love For Sale" by Gigi Gryce & Donald Byrd, "Nona's Blues" by Cecil Taylor, "There Will Never Be Another You" by Eddie Costa, "Lady Sings The Blues" by Billie Holiday, "S Wonderful" by Don Elliott, "I Got Rhythm" by Teddy Wilson, and "Boogie Woogie" by Jimmy Rushing. CD

A standout classic from trumpeter Luis Gasca – and a set that may well be the artists' most complete musical vision of the 70s! The group here is larger than on previous records, and Gasca's dropped a bit of his Latin roots in exchange for a soaring, slightly spiritual sound put together by arranger Don Menza – who's really at the top of his game here! There's a perfection and poise that's almost like CTI or Kudu at their best – almost a bit above the usual Fantasy Records session like this from the 70s, too! Other players include Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Menza and Hadley Caliman on reeds, Patrice Rushen on keyboards, and Harvey Mason on some mighty nice drums – which makes for more than a bit of funk in the mix. Titles include the sweet vibes/Rhodes number "Kathy", the stepper "Sara", and the tracks "Visions", "The Way I Feel Sometimes", "Patrice", "Collage", and "Night People". CD

A trio of albums from this famous Brazilian trombonist – all of them great! First up is Sweet Lucy – a wonderful album from Raul De Souza, cut during the height of his fame on the California scene! Like Raul's other work for Capitol, this record really sparkles from tight help from George Duke – who handles production, and some of the arrangements – and really helps De Souza find a tight jazzy groove! The instrumentation is a bit leaner than some of Raul's other records of this nature, which is a nice thing – as you get to hear plenty of keyboards from Patrice Rushen, Fender Rhodes from Dawilli Gonga, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, and percussion from Airto. There's a bit of chorus vocals at times, but the main focus is on Raul's trombone solos – and cuts include of Joao Donato's "Banana Tree", plus "Sweet Lucy", "New Love", "Wild & Shy", "Bottom Heat", "Wires", and "At Will". Don't Ask My Neighbors is a tremendous moment for trombonist Raul De Souza – working here in a style that's light years past his roots in bossa nova! The set's got a heavy California vibe – a late 70s blend of jazz and soul handled by producer George Duke, who also arranges many tracks on the record – but still leaves plenty of room for Raul to step out strongly in the lead! Things are never too overdone, and handled with that sunny style that players like Duke did so well – lots of warm jazzy elements in the backings, coming from Fender Rhodes by Bobby Lyle, percussion from Airto, and drums from the great Harvey Mason – who really brings an edge to some of the groovers. Titles include a killer cover of the Skip Scarborough tune "Don't Ask My Neighbors" – plus "La La Song", "Overture", "At The Concert", "I Believe You", and "Jump Street". Til Tomorrow Comes is filled with soaring sounds from Raul De Souza – a Brazilian musician who first recorded under the name of Raulzinho during the bossa nova years – but one who's at the height of his powers here working on the Cali scene at the end of the 70s! Raul manages to blend his lead instrument with fuller arrangements from Arthur Wright – who brings in plenty of the best elements from contemporary R&B, adds in some backing vocals, yet never diminishes Raul's presence on the record at all! Instead, De Souza seems to draw all sorts of energy from the folks around him on the sessions for the record – really stepping out with the best sort of jazz funk grooves that Capitol Records were laying down at the time – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Up & At It", "Self Sealing", "Pleasurize", "Fe No Me Nol", and "Til Tomorrow comes". CD features bonus tracks – single versions of "Til Tomorrow Comes", "Sweet Lucy", and "Daisy Mae". CD

Titles include "Rat Tomato", "I Have Been In You", "Flakes", "I'm So Cute", "Jones Crusher", "Dancin Fool", "Baby Snakes", "Bobby Brown Goes Down", and "Rubber Shirt". CD

Titles include "Rat Tomato", "I Have Been In You", "Flakes", "I'm So Cute", "Jones Crusher", "Dancin Fool", "Baby Snakes", "Bobby Brown Goes Down", and "Rubber Shirt". LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of funky jazz sets from Bennie Maupin – '77's Slow Traffic To The Right and '78's Moonscapes – together in a single set! Slow Traffic To The Right is Maupin's first LP for Mercury, and a great bit of spiritual funky jazz that recalls a lot of the sound of his work with The Headhunters. The first track, "It Remains to Be Seen", is an excellent groover, with some very dark keyboard work by Patrice Rushen, and the rest of the tracks are pretty great too. Pat Gleeson produced and plays synth on the LP, and the cuts include "Quasar", "You Know the Deal", "Water Torture", and "Lament". Next up is Moonscapes – a really great solo set from the great Bennie Maupin – part of an excellent run of records as a leader, cut during the stretch when he was riding to great fame with The Headhunters! The vibe here is deeper and more spiritual than his work with that group – still somewhat influenced by the Herbie Hancock electric years – with loads of wonderful keyboards from Bobby Lyle – but also stretched out with these spacious solos from Bennie on soprano, tenor, bass clarinet, and flute! Maupin also throws in a bit of electronics, too – as does the mighty Pat Gleeson, who produced the record, and also adds in some great keyboard work to give the whole thing a spacey edge that really lives up to the title and cover. Titles include "Nightwatch", "Sansho Shima", "Anua", and "Just Give It Some Time". CD

Three wonderful albums from this legendary Brazilian singer – all presented in a single set! First up is Nothing Will Be As It Was Tomorrow – a record that's quite different from Flora's earlier work, but in a way that we find very compelling! The record was produced by Leon Ndugu Chancler, and it's got a smooth fusion sound that's kind of in a southern California R&B mode, played by a huge range of excellent Brazilian and west coast talents that include Patrice Rushen, Dorothy Ashby, Fred Jackson, Raul De Souza, Toninho Horta, and Airto. While this sound overwhelms the core of Flora's usual Brazilian jazz approach, it also expands some of the tracks to a great groove – with Flora's vocals on top, stretching out in a whole new way! Includes a great English language version of the Milton Nascimento classic "Nada Sera Como Antes", plus the cuts "You Love Me Only", "I'm Coming For Your Love", "Corre Nina", "Angels", "Bridges", and "Fairy Tale Song". Every Day Every Night is a beautifully soulful record from Flora Purim – still awash with touches from her Brazilian roots, but also done with a great 70s LA sound! Airto's helping Flora out on production, but the real hero here is Michel Colombier – who handles most of the arrangements and wrote a good deal of the tunes with Purim and Airto – mixing his own expansive studio talents with their organically-forged groove, in a way that makes the record a real standout from the California fusion scene of the 70s! Players include Randy Brecker, Lee Ritenour, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Harvey Mason, and other jazz heavyweights – and titles include "The Hope", "I Just Don't Know", "In Brasil", "Blues Ballad", "Why I'm Alone", "Walking Away", and "Samba Michel". Carry On is one of Flora Purim's more R&B-sounding albums from the 70s, produced by George Duke with an appreciation for Flora's Brazilian jazz roots, but with a smoother sound that's in keeping with Duke's own work of the time! The combination is pretty sweet – a professional culmination of the mixture of fusion and Brazilian jazz that had been happening in the San Francisco scene during most of the 70s, and featuring many of the musicians who had helped make that groove so strong. Players include Airto, Sheila Escovedo, Joe Farrell, Ronnie Foster, Bobby Lyle, and Larry Williams – and tracks include "Niura Is Coming Back", "From The Lonely Afternoon", "Freeway Jam", "Beijo Partido", "Corine", and "Love Lock". Includes bonus tracks too – "Tango Blues" and "Sad Song". CD