had been contributing to the Chicago blues scene for over 30 years when, in 1994, he finally recorded his first album as a leader, . The singer/guitarist/harpist was far from a huge name in the blues world, but then, a lack of commercial success wasn't something that discouraged founder ; if felt that a blues or jazz artist deserved to be documented, he would put out an album regardless of how obscure he/she was. For this enjoyable, if unremarkable, session, hired (an excellent guitarist who shouldn't be confused with software public relations man ) to do the producing, and employed his guitar on eight of its 14 selections. The personnel varies from song to song, and the CD's vocals are handled not only by , but also by , (whose gruff style recalls of ) and . , in fact, lays out on six tracks; in other words, he lays out on almost half of his own album. Electric Chicago blues is ' primary focus, although the CD successfully detours into '60s-type soul on and acknowledges jazz with a gutsy version of ' isn't heard on the latter, which is surprising because the bluesman is heavily influenced by jazz and would have been perfect for the tune. isn't fantastic, but it's a competent offering from an artist who deserved to be documented as a leader. ~ Alex Henderson