Join us
The Chess label more than held its own against the likes of Motown and Stax – as this run-down of the 10 best Chess soul records of all time shows.
For the ravenous Northern soul collector, one label consistently brought the goods: Chess Northern soul classics continue to epitomise the sound today.
In his February 1956 chart entry, as befits a man who coined the term “motorvatin',” Chuck was once again besotted with automobiles.
A masterpiece in every sense, ‘Tell Mama’ sees Etta James singing with a depth of emotion that brings every single song to life.
Boasting Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, Chess Records is synonymous with rock’n’roll – as this list of the 10 best Chess rock’n’roll records proves.
One of the great careers in soul music was launched on Smokey's 18th birthday with an answer record.
Son of Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess, Marshall Chess offers an exclusive guide to the Chicago label that helped invent rock’n’roll.
Little Walter single-handedly fashioned the stylistic approach for harmonica which has been emulated by virtually every blues harmonica player.
On 4 February 1967, just over six months short of his 50th birthday, John Lee's name appeared on the UK album chart for the first time, with 'House Of The Blues.'
From blues and jazz to rock'n'roll and soul, here are the 50 best Chess Records singles to discuss and debate, but mainly to hear and consider.
On 30 January 1965, the soul chart made its comeback in the pages of Billboard, and Motown ruled the roost.
Willie Dixon was a fixer, arranger, talent scout, boxer, performer and songwriter, who did more to shape the sound of post war Chicago blues than any other.
uDiscover Music's playlist tribute to an artist who had one of the definitive R&B-blues voices.
A milestone in jazz, ‘At The Pershing: But Not For Me’ became “one of the biggest records in the history of Chess”. Ahmad Jamal recalls how that happened.
The 20-song, previously unreleased, set is culled from four shows (London, Brighton, Sheffield and Newcastle) during an early 1977 tour across the UK.
