Tell Mama (LP)

Founded in 1950 by Polish immigrant brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, Chess Records emerged in Chicago’s famous South Side, and then went on to expand—breaking beyond the barriers that had confined Black music—its influence (and thus that of the blues, R&B, and early rock) across the world. It exerted a decisive impact: from British Invasion groups like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton (who cite Chess artists as major influences) to countless artists of later generations.

Chess Records continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary. To mark this historic milestone, the label will launch a series starting this October, featuring a curated selection of audiophile vinyl reissues created in collaboration with Acoustic Sounds. Each LP is produced by Quality Record Pressings (QRP) on 180-gram vinyl, following a new remastering made from the original master tapes. The packaging is a “tip-on jacket” faithful to the original, with cardboard sleeves onto which printed paper sheets are applied, as was customary in past decades.

The soul and heart of the great Etta James shine in Tell Mama, her second album (1968) for the Cadet label, recorded with Rick Hall at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The focus and studio technology helped shape one of the greatest albums of the 1960s. Twelve outstanding tracks showcase a voice overflowing with emotion and passion: “Tell Mama,” “Just A Little Bit,” and “I’d Rather Go Blind” (one of the most successful songs of her career) paint a vivid musical portrait.