Various Artists - Chicago: The Blues Today Vol 1

In 1965, musician, author, historian and producer Samuel Charters enlisted nine of the Midwest's best blues artists to record a short set each for a Vanguard Records sampler, showcasing the electric sound of Chicago Blues. The distinct style, known for its use of electric guitars, amplified harmonicas, a rhythm section and often a piano, was exemplified by artists like Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon, Jonny Young, Otis Spann and Big Walter Horton - all of whom appear in the three-volume set.

Released in 1966, the groundbreaking Chicago / The Blues / Today! trilogy introduced countless listeners to the blues - helping to popularize the genre in the US, the UK and beyond. These recordings also influenced a host of up-and-coming rock artists, including The Animals, Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones and, later, The Allman Brothers Band. As AllMusic notes, "It's fair to assume that most blues-influenced artists had all three volumes in their respective collections, and the songs on them ended up in the repertoires of everyone from Jimi Hendrix...to Led Zeppelin...to Steppenwolf."

Vol. 1 includes J. B. Hutto, Otis Spann and Junior Wells with contributions from Buddy Guy. This LP features all-analog mastering from the original stereo tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a tip-on jacket.