Blind Pig Vinyl Master Series: James Cotton & Magic Slim

Blues and roots-rock label Blind Pig Records has cracked open its music vault once again and chosen two deserving candidates for reissue as part of their Vinyl Master Series. This time 'round, blues fans can thrill to the sound of classic slabs o' wax from blues harp master James Cotton and Chicago blues legends Magic Slim and the Teardrops, both scheduled for release on October 20, 2009.

James Cotton's 1987 album Take Me Back earned the harpist a Grammy Award after its release. Concerned by blues music's tilt towards rock 'n' roll during the late-1970s and early-80s, Cotton chose to deliver a back-to-the-roots collection of inspired Chicago blues covers. With the help of his former Muddy Waters' bandmate Pinetop Perkins, as well as guitarist Sammy Lawhorn and drummer Sam Lay, Cotton roars through songs like Little Walter's "My Babe," Jimmy Reed's "Take Out Some Insurance," and Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor" for a total of nine tracks.

Originally released in 1990, Gravel Road was the first Magic Slim and the Teardrops album for Blind Pig. Featuring a powerful Teardrops roster that included second guitarist John Primer and bassist Nick Holt, Slim's brother, Gravel Road was an exciting set of original blues tunes and choice covers. The band hits the high note on eleven songs, including Otis Redding's classic "Hard To Handle," Freddie King's instrumental "Hideaway," and the soul stomp "Mustang Sally," among others.

Both Magic Slim's Gravel Road and Cotton's Take Me Back will be reissued as limited edition sets on 180-gram audiophile vinyl.

Related Content: James Cotton Profile

Photos courtesy Blind Pig Records