J.T. Brown - Blues & Rhythm Series 5157: The Chronological J.T. Brown 1950-1954 (2005)

J.T. Brown was one of several saxophonists who spent much of his early career spicing up blues recording sessions in Chicago during the 1940s and '50s. Born in Mississippi in 1918, he was active at first as a session man in the same circuit with Eddie Chamblee and Buster Bennett. During the 1940s, Brown made records with Eddie Boyd, Washboard Sam, Booker T. Washington, St. Louis Jimmy, and Roosevelt Sykes. He recorded as a leader during the early '50s while fortifying the studio atmosphere around J.B. Lenoir, Sunnyland Slim, and Grant "Mr. Blues" Jones, and eventually worked with Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Elmore James, and, ultimately, Fleetwood Mac. In 2005, the Classics Blues & Rhythm series did the world a colossal favor by releasing an entire CD's worth of very rare recordings made during Brown's label-hopping period between 1950 and 1954. These gutsy rhythm & blues performances include cameo appearances by pianists Little Brother Montgomery and Bob Call with bassists Ransom Knowling and Ernest "Big" Crawford. Vocals are attributed to Roosevelt Sykes and Grant "Mr. Blues" Jones, as well as the speaking voice of a woman identified only as Annabel Lee. ~arwulf arwulf