The rough guide to the roots of the blues : reborn and remastered

"Many big-name collaborations disappoint, but this one is thrilling. The blend of Masekela's luminous, lyrical flugelhorn with Allen's crackling polyrhythms offers a dramatic juxtaposition of jazz improv and Afrobeat. At the same time, the album's loose, skeletal arrangements thrust into sharp relief their musical brillance. "Never (Lagos Never gonna Be The Same)", a tribute to Fela Kuti, is the standout cut".

"Here are 25 pre-war blues recordings, including stellar piano blues and boogie performances by Cow Cow Davenport, Speckled Red and Pinetop Smith, with probably the first boogie woogie recording - "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" ... If you want to hear the roots og 60s rock, try Memphis Minnie & Kansa Joe's "When The Levee Breaks" (Led Zeppelin); Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues" (The Allman Brothers); Hambone Willie Newbern's "Roll And Tumble" and Tommy Johnson's "Canned Heat Blues" (Canned Heat)".