bars that housed Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Howlin' Wolf. They didn't imitate the blues, they were the blues. They were also virtuoso instrumentalists to the man; and the extended raga-like "East-West," powered by Butterfield's defiant harmonica and the guitars of Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield, virtually created the concept of psychedelic jamming. This 2 CD set profiles the best of their massively influential early work, and samples later R&B-inflected, horn-driven material as well. Essential for blues fans. --Michael Ruby  (less)

Given to It's Contents. Opening with Pivotal Early Folk Artists Like Judy Collins, Fred Neil and Phil Ochs, in the Wake of Dylan's Appearance at Newport in 1965, the Label Became the Home of Electric Music with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Then Key Signings with Love, the Doors and the Extraordinarily Unique Tim Buckley. Elektra Never Lost Its Folk Roots and as the Decades Changed, the Label Embraced Singer/Songwriters Like Carly Simon, Harry Chapin and the Sweet Sounds of Bread. Yet in 1969, Elektra Released Debut Albums by the Stooges, Mc5 and Queen, Groups that have Significantly Impacted Young Musicians to this Day. The Label Had Evolved with the Times, Showcasing Only the Best and the Brightest in Modern Musicians.  (less)