Blues Preorder 32 Items

It's hardly necessary to say at this point, but Otis Rush holds a very special place for modern blues fans. The period when he recorded for Chicago's Cobra Records from 1956 to 1958 can be seen as the birth of a new era of urban blues following B.B. King. From these timeless blues treasures, the first single from his Cobra Records era and Rush's signature song, "I Can't Quit You Baby," is being reissued on a 7-inch vinyl. The A-side features the original version, where Willie Dixon's craftsmanship boldly cuts the intro, starting with Rush's powerful roar for a striking impact. The B-side includes an alternate take, featured on the British Blue Horizon compilation This One’s A Good ‘Un, which gained attention when the Rolling Stones covered it in 2016. This will be a special record that allows listeners to savor the essence of Otis Rush and the blues.

What Are You Waiting For is the the new release from The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan. The album contains 11 new original tracks in the Blues and Retro-Soul genres. A must have for all fans of this musical style. The APSO has toured the U.S. and Europe extensively, receiving enthusiastic responses everywhere they go! Willy Jordan brings new energy to The APSO which has a tradition of featuring world class soul singers such as Frank Bey, and Wee Willie Walker. An album not to be missed!

Ga-20 is back with a new 45 featuring an eclectic mix of covers. "As much as we love traditional blues music, we also have a soft spot for traditional country and songs that tell a story. These are 2 great storytelling songs," says Matt Stubbs, guitarist in the band. With the ambition to bridge the gap between blues and country in their own, distinctive way, Ga-20 is proud to present their swampy and bluesy take on Dolly Parton's 'Jolene', as well as a western-inspired and mysterious cover of 'Still as The Night'.

The son of legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks steps into the spotlight with his Alligator debut, a fiery blast of guitar-stoked blues rock guaranteed to singe your whiskers.

Since his record debut in 1997, Vidar Busk has distinguished himself as one of Norways leading guitarists, and is known as an important driving force in the spread of blues music in his home country. Busk traveled to the United States early on to play in the band of the American blues artist Rock Bottom, and later returned home to start building his own solo career. "Venus Texas", his fourth album showed a shift in style. While the previous albums were characterized by driving and swing-based blues rock, "Venus Texas" is more soulful in expression. The album got rewarded with great reviews and also a Norwegian Grammy award. Now on vinyl for the first time.

Founded at the end of 2021, Blues Bizarre release now its self-titled debut album, which breaks the genre boundaries of blues and is a breath of fresh air for today's roots music and rock. Blues Bizarre is one of the pioneers of the new wave of blues in Nordic, which combines the tradition of the genre with different styles from Eastern music to progressive rock, also taking influences from the Allman Brothers and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. The result is evolutionary music that lives in time and the cornerstone of the band's music are their own new songs. Gonna Be FineGood MemeriesPoor BoyDon't Go Blamin' On MeNow You Know How to Play the BluesThe DawnTrip to IndiaSmall Steps

Look through the lens of Tom Mansi & The Icebreakers and what will you see? A passion for the blues and raw rock ’n’ roll manifested in a band who have been playing together for the last 26 years. Full to the brim of delicious grooves and swirling sounds, the Icebreakers have reignited their burners and brandished us with a hot new release — their first on Lunaria Records.

Why you'll love it...
The songs that populate Odetta and the Blues are 1920s blues and jazz standards sung by the likes of Bessie Smith, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Mississippi John Hurt, Leroy Carr and other titans of the time and genre. Most are traditional, unattributable to any one songwriter — but all are linked to Black musicians. In this way, the album feels like an important (and understandable) aspect of Odetta’s quest to show America the myriad ways this country’s music wouldn’t be what it is without Black Americans.

Odetta makes each track sound timeless and true, but also utterly, entirely her own. I think that’s the hallmark of a true and truly unique talent — and a sign that the artist in question understands the assignment, as it were: to find the throughlines between their perspective and the art itself; to preserve the original message and add one of your own, like a constructive game of Telephone. There’s an art to being a cover artist and an art to being an archivist.

Why you'll love it...
By combining her soulful, compelling voice and passion of incorporating fearlessness, honesty and humor into her revelatory music, award-winning blues, soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland arrives with her new Alligator Records album, Done Come Too Far.

Done Come Too Far relates the emotional and personal journey of her liberated truths and struggles of being a young black woman in America. Copeland developed the powerful ability through her compelling voice and life experiences to bring audiences together. She expressed that Done Come Too Far ''is made by all sides of me — happy, sad, silly, irate — they’re all a part who I am and who we all are. I’m not political. I’m just talking about what’s happening in this country.'' Accompanying her on the album include amazing musical guests such as guitarist Sonny Landreth, keyboard legend Charles Hudges and more. Copeland's desire is to assert her full creative freedom by sharing her story and demanding change in America through her outstanding lyrics and music.

Limited to 500 copies, the VMP exclusive edition of Shemekia Copeland’s Done Come Too Far is pressed on 1LP Red vinyl at Independent Record Pressing. The record will arrive in a single direct-to-board, foil stamped and numbered jacket. Done Come Too Far is mastered by Jim DeMain of Yes Master Studio.

Why you'll love it...
The late '60s were a mixed bag for Muddy Waters. In 1969, Waters needed to pivot, and away from the longhairs. He made ‘Fathers and Sons’.

Why you'll love it...
In 1974, Hound Dog Taylor recorded his last studio album; Natural Boogie, appearing here in VMP Classics. The release nearly derailed Alligator Records, its creation was a disaster and Hound Dog himself died of lung cancer less than two years after its release. It’s a record that could have sunk multiple ships; that it sounds so raucous, wild, mercurial and is a downright blast feels incongruous in retrospect.

Bruce Iglauer, the founder of Alligator Records — who produced Natural Boogie, and worked closely with VMP on this reissue — said of the album: “This reissue is important to me because I hope that this is going to reach some people who have no idea who Hound Dog was. He’d be so tickled that people still wanted to hear his music that much later. He just thought of himself as a happy barroom entertainer. He never thought of a legacy, as such. If he had, he might have left a will and then it would’ve been easier to pay the royalties, too (laughs).”

Why you'll love it...
Tennessee Woman is an undervalued Chicago blues masterpiece, a flawlessly executed showcase for Charlie Musselwhite’s unique blues harp sound, an album that perfectly meshed the urban, raucous sounds of Chicago electric blues of Musselwhite’s adult life and the down-home sound of the Memphis blues of his youth. Musselwhite never set out to be a musician; he just wanted to find a job in Chicago that would allow him some spending money to see the blues musicians he loved. When it came time to make his own records, all of Charlie Musselwhite went into Tennessee Woman, and you can hear it from the first notes.

Originally from Ireland, but now settled in the peaceful countryside of rural France, Kaz Hawkins is the epitome of musical mastery and versatility. With a soul as rich as the music that inspired her growing up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a voice that crosses genres with ease, Kaz stands out as a singer, songwriter and performer extraordinaire. Her musical odyssey began decades ago, shaped by a deep love of blues, soul, jazz and folk, which have become her artistic pillars. Renowned for her spellbinding performances and heartfelt compositions, Kaz has charmed audiences the world over, weaving stories of resilience, love and the human experience through her melodies. A seasoned musician, Kaz's magnetic stage presence has graced countless venues, captivating audiences and leaving them eager for more. Her melodies transcend borders, resonating with diverse audiences and earning her a loyal fan base across continents. Beyond his musical talent, Kaz embodies authenticity, courageously sharing his past marked by domestic violence, depression, drugs and self-harm, inspiring others to find hope through his music and their own uniqueness. In 2024 and 2025, Kaz is ready to captivate her audience once again with the release of two live albums, "Live in Brezoi (I)" and "Live in Brezoi (II)". These albums capture the raw energy and emotion of her performances, showcasing her unrivalled talent and the undeniable bond she shares with her audience. Another album, different from the blues, is also in the pipeline and is being produced in Berlin for release in 2025. In addition, Kaz is embarking on exciting collaborations with other artists, infusing her soul essence into collaborative projects. The first is with French soul artist Thomas Kahn in a duet entitled "A Place Like Home", released on January 10, 2024. Other collaborations will be announced shortly. As she moves forward, Kaz aims to amplify her presence on social networks, creating deeper bonds with her fans and forging a community united by the magic of her music. In a world where melodies paint emotions and lyrics engrave memories, Kaz Hawkins stands as a testament to the power of music, inviting you to embark on an unforgettable sonic journey.