Eddie Cleanhead Vinson & Roomful of Blues
Artist: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson

If there were justice in the world, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson would have been able to tour with this type of group throughout much of his career. Roomful of Blues, a popular five-horn nonet, has rarely sounded more exciting than on this musical meeting with the legendary singer/altoist. Vinson himself is exuberant on some of the selections,... Read More

The Complete Aladdin Recordings of Amos Milburn
Artist: Amos Milburn

Seven discs tracing the entire 1946-1957 Aladdin Records legacy of jump blues pioneer Amos Milburn, whose rippling boogie-based piano talent and predilection of songs about booze made him a postwar R&B superstar. One hundred forty-five tracks in all (including plenty of unissued goodies) tab this as the ultimate collection for Milburn fans. He... Read More

Shake 'Em Up
Artist: Johnny Nocturne Band

Led by accomplished tenor saxman John Firmin, the Johnny Nocturne Band plays near-flawless renditions of 1940s-era jump blues and swing. Featuring vocals by Brenda Boykin, Shake 'Em Up is a collection of bues and swing tunes recorded live in the studio. The eight-piece band blows through classics such as "Fool's Blues" and "I Ain't Got Nothin'... Read More

Jumpin' with Joe: The Complete Aladdin & Imperial Recordings
Artist: Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner's remarkable recordings for Atlantic and Decca have been frequently reissued and evaluated. But his singles for other labels haven't gotten similar treatment, which makes this 18-cut single-disc anthology of Aladdin and Imperial material so welcome. These were recorded in the late '40s and early '50s and were closer to the Kansas... Read More

Dance All Night
Artist: Roomful of Blues

This incarnation of Roomful of Blues includes vocalist and harmonica player Sugar Ray Norcia taking the singing spotlight, Matt McCabe now their pianist and Chris Vachon principal guitarist. This CD blends blues and R&B classics with a couple of originals; highlights include a fine reading of Smiley Lewis' "Lillie Mae," a remake of "Hey Now"... Read More

Jamming the Blues
Artist: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson

For this lesser-known outing (reissued on CD), the great altoist and blues singer Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson is heard in fine form at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival. With fine support from a four-piece rhythm section that includes pianist Peter Wingfield and some solo space for tenor-saxophonist Hal Singer, Vinson plays a few of his familiar but... Read More

Roy Milton & His Solid Senders
Artist: Roy Milton

Certainly this is the place to go for Milton's most popular and influential material -- a whopping 18 of the 25 cuts made the R&B Top Ten in the late '40s and early '50s. These include such classics as "R.M. Blues," "The Hucklebuck," and "Hop, Skip & Jump" (given a great rockabilly treatment in the 1950s by the Collins Kids). All of the tracks... Read More

Groovy Blues, Vol. 2
Artist: Roy Milton & His Solid Senders

The rarities and unissued material begin to pop up on Vol. 2, making it even more of a feast for collectors. Milton's Solid Senders, featuring pianist/singer Camille Howard, guitarist Johnny Rogers, and a crew of roaring saxmen, were one of the tightest and most respected on the Coast. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More

Goin' Down Slow (Blues, Soul & Early R 'n' R, Vol. 14)
Artist: Billy Wright

Crying and pleading the blues, Wright's early-'50s Savoy output was very influential. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More