Bandleader, blue guitarist & producer Specter has earned a international reputation as one of the premier young talents on the Chicago blues scene; this is his 6th Delmark album & it's an instrumental program combining Chicago blues, jump blues & sometimes jazz.

Veteran blues singer/guitarist has the vocal urgency & immediacy of singers like Otis Redding & Wilson Pickett; Ward pioneered the use of the Magnatone amplifier which was featured on many of his 1960s recordings as Robert Ward & the Untouchables - here he presents 10 new originals done in his trademark sound.

Ragtime pianist/composer adds to his repertoire on his 3rd Delmark album - here he has documented his major inspirations, creating compelling & passionate pieces.

This 1997 recording was James Wheeler's debut as leader. James had played guitar in the bands of Otis Rush (for seven years), B.B. King, O.V. Wright, Billy Boy Arnold, Otis Clay, Mississippi Heat and Willie Kent. "The Chicago native and prolific songwriter exudes a relaxed, knowing authority... simple, grounded, no-nonsense blues from the soulful elder with a milk chocolate voice." - Jazz Times with Billy Flynn, guitar; Ken Saydak, piano; Bob Stroger, bass; Vern Rodgers, drums; Golden "Big" Wheeler, harmonica (on two songs); and guest vocalist Gloria Thompson-Rodgers. Features eleven original compositions and covers of "I'm Just Your Fool" and "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl". (Previously deleted:4/1/06. Original release date:3/24/98)

Ragtime piano master is featured here on 26 tracks from the early 1960s, inc. 8 never before released cuts - the performances are culled from 2 informal parties, one of which was hosted by ragophile Trebor Tichenor, who wrote the descriptive notes.

10 of the 13 tracks were recorded live in the Chicago area last year. The John Burnett Orchestra specializes in all forties style big band swing and current big band jazz charts. John hails from England and attended the Royal Academy of Music. He is currently morning host of an exciting jazz radio show on WDCB, Public Radio from the College of DuPage, IL. "In the Mood", One O'Clock Jump", "In a Mellow Tone" and ten more songs. With guest artist Buddy DeFranco. Also available West of State Street/East of Harlem (DMK 584).In a review of Burnett's previous Delmark CD Matthew Allen wrote: "Performed with the animated charm and confidence of past iconic jazz orchestras and yet they all have a new shine on them."

United's gospel catalog was lean but prime. During the 1950s, Chicago was gospel's capital, home turf of it's pioneer exponents, Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson and Roberta Martin. Features United's gospel quartets, including Southern Tornadoes, Veteran Singers, Spiritualaires, and, from J.O.B. Records, Joiner's Five Trumpets. This 25 track compilation contains 17 never before released tracks - even the 8 previously issued sides are from rare 78s that have never been reissued until now.

Despite the successes Tad Robinson, Steve Freund, Ken Saydak, Harlan Terson and Marty Binder have achieved over long parallel careers, there was some unfinished business to attend to. Longtime bonds, which sometimes elude conscious recognition, drew them to Delmark's Riverside Studio on Chicago's North Rockwell Avenue in October of 2017. It was a joyous musical and artistic reunion. They had all recorded for Delmark over the past decades. Now it was time to join together again, as equals who had shared a lifestyle and craft, each in his own way, each with his own voice. So they took a week away from their routines to share a brief moment, frozen in time on Back To Chicago.

Quintus McCormick's acclaimed Delmark debut from 2009 Hey Jodie! (DMK 801) was one of the best soul-blues albums of the new millennium's first decade. Quintus' second CD Put It on Me! (DMK 815) proved he is one of contemporary Chicago's brightest stars. And now the prolific songwriter is back again with new joints, ready to pop. Plus there's Quintus own personal spin on covers of the Beatles' Oh! Darling, George Jackson's Still Called the Blues and Old Time Rock And Roll and more. Great blend of straight ahead blues, soul blues, r&b, funk and soul music. Anyway you look at it, it's Still Called the Blues.

Blues artist Jimmy Dawkins had his own record label in the 1980s, Leric Records, with 45s issues by Tail Dragger, Queen Sylvia Embry, Little Johnny Christian and Nora Jean Wallace. Delmark is re-issuing these recordings now on CD for the first time with the addition of unissued sides by Vance Kelly and Big Mojo Elem. 15 songs, 60 minutes with various sidemen including Jimmy Dawkins, Johnny B. Moore, Lafayette Leake, Willie Kent, Eddie "Jewtown" Burks, Michael Coleman and Chico Banks.

Sir Charles is best known for his historic 1945-47 Apollo recordings with Charlie Parker & Dexter Gordon. A mainstay on New York's dynamic 52nd Street scene in the '40s & '50s, Thompson recorded for Columbia, Vanguard & as a sideman with Coleman Hawkins & Illinois Jacquet. Sir Charles' album "Robbins' Nest - Live at the Jazz Showcase" was applauded by critics for his ability to remain relevant to today, so Delmark went back & got more of this good stuff. Features Eric Schneider on tenor/alto sax & clarinet.

Shirley Johnson is an outstanding vocalist who finds herself in the vanguard of a remarkable revival of the Chicago female blues singer. For many years she has been an able ambassador, here & abroad, representing both the blues & gospel traditions. She has a passionate, strong voice that can deliver a chugging Chicago blues shuffle with uncommon conviction, and infuse a slow ballad with the reassuring power of her own personal experience. Shirley is an entirely modern blues singer, and this is her American debut CD featuring Robert Ward, John Primer, Johnny B. Moore & Maurice John Vaughn.

Jazz clarinetist Garvin Bushell's 1988 autobiography is rightly titled "Jazz from the Beginning". Bushell recorded with great pianists - James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Jelly Roll Morton and with important swing orchestras, such as those led by Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway and Chick Webb. In mid-century Bushell recorded with many of the period's greatest jazz names, including John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Gil Evans, and King Curtis. This 1982 session features Garvin Bushell, clarinet, bassoon; Richard Hadlock, soprano sax; Ray Skjelbred, piano; Stu Wilson, bass; John Markham, drums; Leon Oakley, cornet; Barbara Lashley, vocals on 3 songs.

LONESOME HIGHWAY

DELMARK 50 YEARS OF JAZZ & BLUES / VARIOUS