Ace’s previous forays into the back catalogue of Atlantic Records have given US some sparkling compilations of rhythm & blues and soul. The label may not be so readily associated with hard-core blues but it recorded plenty of choice items, as this selection from the first decade or so of the company’s existence demonstrates. Here are plenty of blues heavy hitters – Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker and more – mixed with others who are much less well known. The star of the CD is Little Johnny Jones, a hugely talented pianist in the style of Big Maceo Merriweather who died much too young.
