Ningen Human (1962)

Suddenly The Blues reveals that Leo Wright possessed equal doses of talent on both alto sax and flute, both of which assumed a fluid and assertive tone that commands the attention of the listener. In fact, he worked in a soulful sensibility and decectively complex technique not unlike Lou Donaldson’s, most notably on 'Sassy Lady'. His flute work on 'The Wiggler' is reminiscent of the “coolness” and quirkiness of Quincy Jones’ theme 'Soul Bossa Nova', most recently re-discovered on the soundtrack of Austin Powers 'The Spy Who Shagged Me'. This LP is interesting as well because it captures Ron Carter’s work just after he left Bobby Timmons’ group and before he joined Miles Davis’ most famous quintet, for which he’ll forever be known…

The Beatles' December 1962 performances at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, have been reissued countless times over the years (in the U.S. as well as Europe). Offering 28 of those performances, Last Night in Hamburg is a German release from 1999…

This edition contains all 1962 collaborations by Joe Pass and pianist Les McCann, who would continue working together the following year. Their 1962 output consists of their participation on Richard “Groove” Holmes LP "Somethin' Special" and on McCann's own album "On Time". Both records appear here in their entirety, as well as two tracks from the second LP that were not included on the original album. As a bonus, the complete LP "Back in Town!". Issued under the name of singer/guitarist Bumble Bee Slim (born Amos Easton), it consisted of two sessions, one featuring Pass, and the other featuring McCann.

Two classic Hooker LPs, all digitally re-mastered, 22 solid slabs of dark, leathery, brooding nostalgia. This is the electric blues at its very roots. This stripped-bare, one man and a growling electric guitar (on most tracks) music is the stuff those guys who fled the south for the auto production lines in the north used to listen to. Hooker’s ‘talking blues’ style is well represented on Folk Lore. Great numbers like I’m Going Upstairs (and we all know what John was going up for), I Like to See You Walk and My First Wife Left Me start to haunt you like some swamp ghost. The Folk Blues tracks are no less powerful. Half A Stranger, Shake, Holler And Run, Down Child and Gonna Boogie all roll into one another to form a big, dusty landscape punctuated by mid-20th century American industry.

John Lee Hooker developed a “talking blues” style that became his trademark. Though similar to the early Delta tradition, his metrically free approach and unique sound would make him a staple of the Detroit blues tradition. Often called the “King of the Boogie,” Hooker's driving, rhythmic approach to guitar playing has become an integral part of the blues. His thunderous electric guitar sounded raw, while his basic technique was riveting.
This quintessential release includes two of Hooker's finest albums: Burnin' (1962) - with a full-band accompaniment and featuring the chart success “Boom Boom,” one of Hooker's most identifiable and enduring songs, plus Plays and Sings The Blues (1961) which was filled with 1951-1952 solo­recordings and gems from Hooker's early days. Both masterpieces have been remastered and packaged together in this very special collector's edition, which also includes 3 bonus tracks…