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Roy Gaines has a stunning recording history running from the 1950's to today. But this album shines as his finest - a perfect example of 'retro' and of its time, contemporary. On first release, the album brought Roy back into the limelight after a period where he devoted his life to running his club in LA: Gainesville. A flurry of albums followed, but none captured the magic of this. But then, what a team is behind Roy - producer/songwriter Jimmy Morello who in that period made many great albums; the then JSP 'house band' of fine west coast musicians and the studio of choice in those days, Pacifica.

Roy's story is that of the postwar blues and rhythm & blues scene. And thankfully, Roy is still alive to reap the rewards. In 1952, then aged 15, Roy walked into a Houston nightclub, guitar in hand. The star of the show, T-Bone Walker let the local kid have a showcase - introducing him as 'Little T-Bone'. And that's how to have a flying start to your career as a blues guitarist... Roy was soon a local legend but by age 16 he was in LA playing one of Hunter Hancock's talent shows and then into Roy Milton's band. Still 16, Roy set off across America in the band bus getting a musical education no music college could offer.

His next career stop was as guitarist for Chuck Willis, at that time a major Atlantic Records star. Thus the timeless basis of blues and R&B: hit the road on countless gigs, learn music and showmanship inside out and only then are you ready to go as a fully-formed leader. It worked for Roy in the '50s, Jimi Hendrix in the '60s and many others to this day. In the years between Roy has made a handful of classic 45s, has done studio work with everyone from Stevie Wonder on down and established a formidable live reputation.

This album was a lucky meeting of talents and Roy's belief that there was still something in the old blues sounds...As he was quoted then This is it man...this is one I went way back to Texas. Stone blues all the way...