Something Gonna Jump out the Bushes
Artist: Nappy Brown

Ultra-solid support from guitarists Anson Funderburgh, Eugene Ross, Ronnie Earl, and Earl King and Black Top's superb house horn section make this Dallas-cut set Brown's best contemporary album to date. His lusty shouting style works well on covers of the Dominoes' "Have Mercy Baby," the "5" Royales' title track, a pair of Earl King-penned... Read More

Red Lights
Artist: Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice

Former Roomful of Blues saxophonist Greg Piccolo stretches his musical wings even further on this, his third solo outing since leaving the group in 1990. In addition to his brawny tenor sax wailings, Piccolo also plays lead guitar (in a crude, but effective style somewhat reminiscent of Roy Buchanan and Carlos Santana) and alto sax this time... Read More

Women, Whiskey & Fish Tails
Artist: Wynonie Harris

Ace's Women, Whiskey & Fish Tails spotlights some of the famous blues-shouter's latter-day work (1952-1957) for independent R&B label King. Now joined by Ace's '50s-centric Harris survey, Lovin' Machine, this 21-track disc takes the somewhat more obscure path through the catalog, substituting the still-electric likes of "Greyhound" and "Drinkin'... Read More

Complete Aladdin Recordings
Artist: Floyd Dixon

It's a matter of opinion as to whether Dixon's Aladdin output was his peak; many would give his Specialty sides (available on the Marshall Texas Is My Home compilation) the nod. Still, his late-'40s and early-'50s work for the label included some of his most popular and best tracks, such as "Wine, Wine, Wine," "Call Operator 210," "Tired, Broke... Read More

Acid Blue
Artist: Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice
The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-55
Artist: Big Maybelle

Maybelle's entire OKeh output -- 26 tracks -- including her three R&B chart items, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," and the risqué slow blues "I'm Getting 'Long Alright." "Gabbin' Blues," her 1952 OKeh debut smash, is a humorous dialogue between Maybelle and gossiping rival Rosemarie McCoy, the tune's co-writer. Maybelle was no mere copyist; her... Read More

Big, Bad & Blue: The Big Joe Turner Anthology
Artist: Big Joe Turner

This three-record anthology shows how Turner, without really ever changing his style, moved from strict Kansas City swing to pioneering rock & roll and back to basic jazzy blues. It contains 62 songs, everything from treasured hits to slow, sweltering ballads, strident up-tempo wailers, moaning blues, novelty tunes, and fiery pieces with lyrics... 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

Good Rockin' Tonight - KING
Artist: Wynonie Harris

This compilation of the ribold shouter's blasting jump blues classics for King is essential. ~ 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

Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits
Artist: Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner's music is the aural equivalent of a rare Porterhouse steak -- oversized, juicy, and a glorious overload for the senses, and if isn't always good for you, that's just part of the fun. Whether what he was singing was billed as jazz, swing, rhythm & blues, or rock & roll, Turner pretty much always did things the same way, rolling... Read More

1945-1947
Artist: Wynonie Harris

The second Classics CD to feature blues singer Wynonie Harris' recordings as a leader finds him in the period right before he signed with the King label. The five four-song sessions on this disc (all quite jazz oriented) were cut for Hamp-Tone, Bullet, and Aladdin. First, Harris (who sounds quite enthusiastic in every setting) sings three... Read More