There have been a slew of Delmark compilations centering on the labels illustrious, now 50-plus-year history recording and releasing blues and jazz records of great merit by many of the anchors and pioneers of musical development in those genres. In downtown Chicago, the label's home at the Jazz Record Mart has been a hot bed of influential music without a lull. This double-CD 45th anniversary collection is one of the hippest and most consistent comps in their catalog. Featuring 29 cuts in all, where else would listeners be able to indulge their fascinations and delights in artists as diverse as
Sun Ra,
Magic Sam,
Arnett Cobb,
Malachi Thompson,
Byther Smith,
Robert Nighthawk,
Lurrie Bell,
Jodie Christian,
Frank Catalano,
Ari Brown,
Jimmy Dawkins,
Junior Wells, and
Tab Smith? It's all here, and much more. This collection grooves, sasses, spits, barks, laughs, and snarls, with fantastic music, all for a budget price.