Little Walter - The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967)

Expanding the vocabulary and sonic innovation of the toy-like harmonica, Little Walter stands next to Jimi Hendrix in changing the prevailing attitudes of what their chosen instrument could attain. Running his mouth harp through cheap microphones and over-stressed amplifiers, Little Walter blew and improvised like a jazz player; his phrasing swooped around the beat and anticipated the guitar melody with incisive, electrified shrieks and elongated wails. Eventually he landed not only the role as Muddy Waters' sideman, but also became the house harpist for Chess Records recordings and launched himself into his fronting his own band. Though the five-disc Complete Chess Masters lists itself as a near two decade collection, the heart of Little Walters repertoire is captured during his early to mid-'50s, where his kinetic harp racked up a string of R&B hits, often backed by his own lissome vocals. Packaged in a six-paneled foldout, this is a beautiful tribute to one of the underackngowledged heroes of Chess Records.