Chess Records is celebrating its 75th anniversary with two exciting new releases on November 14. First up is The Chess Records Christmas Album, featuring holiday classics and rare tracks from gospel, soul, and blues. Highlights include Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run,” “Christmas,” and “Merry Christmas Baby,” along with The Moonglows’ “Hey Santa Claus,” the Ramsey Lewis Trio’s “Christmas Blues,” and Kenny Burrell’s “Silent Night.” The album also includes digital rarities like The Soul Stirrers’ “Christmas Means Love” and The Salem Travelers’ “Merry Christmas to You.” This special LP is pressed on Blue Frost vinyl.
The second release is Let’s Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology, a double LP curated by drummer and Grammy-winning producer Steve Jordan. This collection features 25 standout tracks from the label’s rich history, showcasing the impact of Chess Records on today’s music scene. You’ll hear legends like Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, and Howlin’ Wolf.
Chess Records was founded in 1950 by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess. The label played a key role in the development of blues, rhythm and blues, and early rock and roll. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Chess will also reissue The Best of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf’s Moanin’ in the Moonlight this October.
The Best of Muddy Waters includes 12 of his greatest hits, like “Rollin’ Stone” and “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man.” Moanin’ in the Moonlight, released in 1958, was Howlin’ Wolf’s first album and features classics like “Smokestack Lightnin’” and “Evil.”
Get ready to shop for the best blues music on vinyl and CD!
