Andrew Brown @ Prim on 5th

Folks lucky enough to hear him perform his classy brand of blues in clubs throughout Chicago's southern suburbs referred to guitarist Andrew Brown as Big Brown. His muscular physique contrasted strikingly with his understated brilliance as a modern electric blues guitarist, rendering the imposing nickname doubly apt. Brown never received anything near the acclaim that he deserved over a career spanning more than three decades that ended with his 1985 death.It's a tribute to his unerring taste and uncommon talent that Brown never made a bad record; the only question is why he received so few chances to cut loose in a studio. This splendid set gathers a great deal of what Brown left behind for posterity, including a handful of rare singles for small Windy City labels and the two terrific early '80s albums that stand as the principal foundation of his recorded legacy. Beautifully designed long-box devoted to one of great unknown blues musicians. A man with class who had deserved blues stardom, but who was largely ignored by both, the music industry and parts of the blues community. Andrew started working as a musician in 1949 and recorded his first 45 for the USA label in 1964. But it was not until 1979 and his contribution to Alligator's 'Living Chicago Blues' series that the blues world took notice. However, it were two Dutch record labels that took him under their wings, Black Magic and Double Trouble Records. No American record label was interested in supporting Andrew's career. Brown, who died at the early age of 48 in 1985, was a talented player with a style reminiscent of B.B. King's, or Lowell Fulson's. His fluid playing fitted perfectly with his deep, soulful vocals. With this edition Black Magic Records is paying tribute to one of the great but forgotten bluesmen. The 2-CD set contains almost all his recorded output, including many unissued sides. The sound quality is superb. This beautiful set is a must! Also a rapper named Andrew Brown...better known as Ruckus, local in Cass City, Michigan. He unfortunately passed away in 2005 from a car accident. http://www.myspace.com/andrewbtharuckus