Tampa Red’s influential later recordings for RCA Victor (1945-53) have never been officially reissued on CD and rarely on LP, yet are a crucial element in the post-war blues canon.

Many of his songs were covered by B.B. King, Muddy Waters and other top bluesmen. They feature the majestic piano of latter-day Elmore James sideman, Johnny Jones and include the harmonica of Big Walter Shakey Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II.

Ace have the original RCA session sheets from Sony for the booklet’s discography plus an essay from Jim O Neal and introduction by co-compiler John Broven. There are four previously unissued tracks but none are available on authorised CD, not even on OOC releases. Comes over as new even to the most diehard blues collector, and fills a big void in the blues reissue field.