“Black Magic is a marvellously atmospheric and easy record to listen to - with Sam's resonant and flexible vocals a perfect match for his clean virtuoso guitar playing. Moving on from the scorching Chicago blues captured so unforgettably on West Side Soul - here the accent is on a smooth sound with a potential wider appeal. Hit songs like I Just Want a Little Bit, You Belong to Me and Easy Baby stand at the borderline between blues and soul.

 

Like legends ranging from Eric Dolphy and Booker Little to Otis Redding and Minnie Ripperton, Magic Sam died too young. The Chicago blues singer/guitarist's final studio recording, Black Magic was recorded only a year before he died at the age of 32. Sam had acquired a small but loyal following, and Black Magic's excellence indicates that had he lived, he'd have become as celebrated as Buddy Guy. The passionate testifyin' of What Have I Done Wrong, It's All Your Fault and Stop! You're Hurting Me demonstrates that Sam not only sang and felt blues; he lived them. --Alex Henderson, L.A. Jazz Scene

 

I’m thrilled to share this groundbreaking album for you this week.

 

Plus new releases from Robert Randolph & The Family Band,  Christone Kingfish Ingram, Eric Bibb, Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials, Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues, Selwyn Birchwood, Kim Wilson,  Studebaker John & the Maxwell Street Kings, Tinsley Ellis, Mike Finnigan, Laura Chavez and Parlour Greens.  

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.