The Chicago-based blues label Delmark has also dipped into its vaults for the music contained on a new release, MAGIC SLIM & THE TEARDROPS (That Ain't Right), JOE CARTER WITH SUNNYLAND SLIM. The disc's thirteen tracks were recorded back in 1977 as part of a series being put together for the company by producer Ralph Bass, who was documenting the underground blues scene in Chicago (other Bass albums featured Lacy Gibson, Eddy Clearwater and Carey Bell, among others).
      

     
Magic Slim heads a hard-driving combo comprised of his two brothers and Coleman Pettis. Together they play in the vintage Chicago style--rough, raw and funky--with Slim's vocals dominating. Mixing traditional songs with originals (including a blistering instrumental, Soul Blues) Slim & Co. show why they've made their mark on the blues world.

Carter, an Elmore James disciple, was a Chicago stalwart (he died in 2001) who never quite got the national recognition he deserved. Bass recorded him in a studio session featuring his slide-guitar and vocals, backed up splendidly by his own band (notably Sunnland Slim on boogie-woogie piano). Drummer Fred Below was given the spotlight for his unique, semi-scatting version of Route 66.

For more info go to bluesjazz@delmark.com