This 1968 recording was originally issued as Electric Sleep, the title a riff on the Muddy Waters LP title Electric Mud. But the similarities ended there; whereas Mud was psychedelic and musically quite a departure from a traditional blues sound, Electric Sleep simply combines a country blues artist with an electric blues band. This 2007 reissue is re-mixed and mastered from the original analog tapes and has a brand new cover with photos from the recording session. The legendary blues poet is accompanied by Jimmy Dawkins (guitar), Sunnyland Slim (piano), Carey Bell (harmonica/bass), Earl Hooker, Joe Harper (bass), Odie Payne, Jr. (drums).(Previously deleted: 4/1/05. Original release date: 5/91)

Standup blues singer recorded on the West Coast during the heyday of Central Avenue, 1945, w. Jack McVea, Lucky Thompson (Dinah Washington), Shift Henry, Wild Bill Moore, Teddy Buckner+, from the Apollo Series, 15 tracks.

Classic blues 20's style w. Little Brother Montgomery & the State Street Ramblers, 12 tracks.

Born in Dublin, Mississippi in 1943, Jimmy Burns derived his earliest inspiration from the records of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and others. After Jimmy moved to Chicago in the mid-'50s he discovered a scene that was perfect.

Innovative guitarist & composer Scott Fields makes his Delmark debut with a recording of 5 original compositions inspired by the work of playwright David Mamet. Fields, whose previous ensembles have included such notables as pianists Marilyn Crispell, Myra Melford, and saxophonist Joseph Jarman, finds himself in excellent company here. Drummer Michael Zerang is a stalwart of the Chicago scene and has provided the pulse for the Ken Vandermark Quartet & the explosive Peter Br"tzmann Tentet. Bassist Michael Formanek is a respected composer, bandleader, and bassist.

Vinyl LP reissue. One of the truly classic blues albums of the 1960s, and one of the first to successfully capture the smoky ambience of a night at a West Side nightspot. The Monday blues boys-guitarist Buddy Guy, bassist Jack Myers, drummer Billy Warren-join Wells on his harp to create this raw, gutsy, uninhibited sound, yielding melodic memory-makers such as "Snatch it Back and Hold it," "You Don't Love Me, Baby," "Chitlin con Carne," and others. Widely hailed as one of Wells's finest achievements, the album has gone on to be Delmark's highest-selling release of all time. And little wonder why: If not just Wells, Guy truly dazzles here on the guitar. Every blues lover will confirm this record as prerequisite stuff for Chicago Blues 101.

Trumpeter Yves Francois has been active on Chicago's jazz scene since the '70's. Yves is a huge fan of early jazz and started out as a jazz/blues trumpeter. He is still active today as Yves Francois et Rocambu Jazz, a swinging group that still plays jazz & blues but also highlife and Caribbean. In the '80's Yves issued two LPs, in tiny quantities, on Franz Jackson's Pinnacle label. The sessions were recorded in '81 and '86 and feature two of Chicago's greatest tenor sax players, Franz Jackson and Eddie Johnson. Delmark acquired the masters which are now available on CD for the first time. Contains many previously unissued tracks and a new mix. With Special Guests Franz Jackson, Eddie Johnson and Odie Payne, Jr..

W. Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars (inc. Bill Doggett & Charles Mingus), Jack McVea & His All Stars (inc. Teddy Buckner), Oscar Pettiford +.

Drummer Ted Sirota relocated to Chicago in 1992 after graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Sirota quickly became very active on the Chicago jazz scene performing with Von Freeman, Jodie Christian, Fred Hopkins, Lin Halliday, Rob Mazurek and many others. As a member of the Sabertooth Jazz Quartet, Sirota has been performing weekly at the Green Mill for seven years now and counting. Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls was formed in 1996 and have since released three albums. "Breeding Resistance" is the Delmark debut for the Rebel Souls which features Jeb Bishop, trombone; Geoff Bradfield, tenor sax; Jeff Parker, guitar; Clark Sommers, bass; Ted Sirota, drums.

11 blistering' blues classics, including Beale Street Sugar Sleepy John Estes; That's All Right Jimmy Rogers, Rub a Little Boogie Champion Jack Dupree, and eight more.

Trombonist Jim Robinson played professionally from World War I onwards. In the 20s he made his first recordings as a member of the Sam Morgan Jazz Band. He gained greater fame with the resurgence of interest in early New Orleans jazz as a regular member of the bands of Bunk Johnson & George Lewis. He also led his own band and was known for his deep, wide-toned & robust tailgate style of trombone playing. This 1965 session, recorded at Preservation Hall, features Johnny Wiggs, cornet; Raymond Burke, clarinet; Bob Greene, piano; Allan Jaffe, tuba; Yoichi Kimura, drums. On CD for the 1st time, it features 12 songs including 2 previously unissued songs & alternate takes.

What makes this group so important is the relationship that exists between it's members. Bassist Jason Ajemian (Chicago Underground Trio, Lay All Over It, Born Heller) saxophonist Tim Haldeman, and drummer Nori Tanaka are regulars on the Chicago improvisation scene. Joined here by vibist Jason Adasiewicz (Loose Assembly, Exploding Star Orchestra,) trumpeter Jaimie Branch, and guitarist Matt Schneider this prolific, expansive and inventive group becomes a sonic family on this release. The interplay between the players is ceaseless in reawakening the heart of what is jazz today. Like a conversation among old friends it's intimacy is palpable; warm, friendly and at ease.

Even though Dawkins is the chairman of the AACM & uses "avant garde" to describe his music, his ensemble always remains accessible yet vital; it's a surprise that this is their first U.S. release, as they have been together for more than a decade & are regarded as one of Chicago's finest - the album is titled after the enthusiastic response from the audience in Johannesburg, South Africa & Mozambique.

Return to 50's style blues w. The Ice Cream Men.

Pianist Art Hodes' career lasted eight decades, starting in the late 20s and continuing into the 90s. Friar's Inn, near Van Buren and Wabash, was where the legendary New Orleans Rhythm Kings played Chicago in the early 20s. Their series of classic recordings for Gennett ushered in the early Chicago decade of jazz recordings. Hodes had long wanted to do a recording in honor of that early group and brought George Brunis and Volly DeFaut, both members of NORK in the 20s, to the studio for this 1972 session. On CD for the first time, this release features Barney Bigard and Barrett Deems.