These rare pieces are taken from Bob Hite's fabulous collection of 78rpm records. A historical collection that helped, in its own way, save from oblivion the rural bluesmen who have dropped out of the scene decades ago and made possible their reintegration to history. Everyone is now entitled to hear this chunk of the treasure.

Compiled by the famous DJ Dr Boogie with the help of Fito De La Parra (Canned Heat drummer).

"Bob Hite, founding member and singer of the unforgettable group Canned Heat owns one of the most impressive collections of US 78rpms. He started gathering these records at a very young age. He always dreamed of being in a boogie band and paying tribute to the pioneers, drawing inspiration from all the greats who have set the foundations for blues music. Before he joined the band, he was already working in various record stores in Venice Beach, a Los Angeles suburb. Through the years, he came to acquire extraordinary items, mostly thanks to the success of the 33rpm, which quickly replaced the 78rpm format. Bob Hite never stopped expanding his collection; he bought records all around the world. He was known to throw huge parties at his house, where he spent hours, sometimes whole nights, unveiling gems from his collection.

After Bob Hite's death, the fabulous collection was decimated, partly sold, dismembered, and even plundered…" - Dr. Boogie

some are legends…

PETE JOHNSON
Rightfully acknowledged as a boogie-woogie expert and one of the first piano legends, Pete Johnson truly ranks among the greatest.

CLARENCE BROWN
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was 100% Texan. His recordings for the Peacock label remain legendary, and this blues entitled Takin' My Chance is pure gold, with its hard-hitting brass section and Brown's majestic guitar playing. Brown died in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home. The shock was simply too much for this great artist.

ELMORE JAMES
Everything has been written and said about Elmore James, but hearing him from one of these 78rpms is still a moving experience. The tracks selected here are not among his best known, and that's for the better.

some are unknown…

MAD MEL SEBASTIAN
One of this compilation's mysteries. It might have been Chuck Higgins recording under an alias, but we have no information about this record released by the MS label at the onset of the '50s.

EDDIE HOPE
This Eddie Hope is quite the magnificent unknown. Still, his Fool No More is known and appreciated by every fan of the genre and remains a key selection when it comes to heavy shuffles.

THE HOT SHOTS
Probably based in New York City, The Hot Shots here deliver a languid number that takes us back to the clubs where music like this played way into the wee hours of the night. Blues Nights was cut for the Savoy label.

EARL KING
This King is definitely less known than BB, Freddie or Albert. This pure product of Louisiana was a respected guitar player. He is known for having written Come On, covered by Jimi Hendrix on the album Electric Ladyland.