Albert King

Although powerhouse guitarist Albert King’s recorded career began with a couple of forgettable singles in 1953, and perked up in 1962 with a minor hit ("Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong"), it wasn’t until he signed with Stax in 1966 (at the age of 42) and got into the studio with the label’s house band—Booker T. & the M.G.s—that people began to notice him.

Backed on several tracks by the Memphis Horns, King bends some serious wire on this newly reissued knockout collection of blues. Among the highlights are "Personal Manager," a relaxed plea to his woman ("I want to be your personal manager, baby; I want to do everything I can for you") and the cautionary "Laundromat Blues" ("You been meetin’ your man, baby, down at the local laundromat") in which he warns her "that I ain’t goin’ for that." In addition to the title track, there’s his update of "Crosscut Saw," an old Delta blues set to a Latin rhythm, and a bouncy "Kansas City." Released as an LP in 1967 it became one of the most influential blues albums ever with men like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan absorbing and retransmitting its message.