The Rhythm & Blues label has developed an enviable reputation since its inception in 2008 for creating thorough, definitive, high quality and entertaining themed collections delving into the roots of the various strands of classic rhythm and blues. In 2011, Rhythm & Blues joined forces with Trapeze Music & Entertainment, who themselves already have a formidable background in classic R&B via their Acrobat label, in order to take advantage of the synergy of the two companies resources.

This latest collection focuses on New Orleans. More than any other city in the world, New Orleans was responsible for shaping the sound of 20th century popular music maybe a sweeping statement, but as the birthplace of jazz, funk and arguably rock n roll, it is pre-eminent. At the heart of these three widely different varieties of music lies the rhythmic complexity of second line parade drumming. Its two-beat patterns combining military band and Caribbean rhythms underpin the early recordings of Louis Armstrong as much as they do those of Little Richard and James Brown.

This compilation highlights the distinguishing characteristics in early Crescent City recordings, both to pick out the finest examples and to pinpoint styles that foreshadowed later developments in R&B. Comprising tracks from the earliest days of recording through to the late 40s, the collection charts the way that the citys background as a racial and cultural melting pot fed its extraordinary and vibrant musical output. With carefully restored recordings and complete with a comprehensive 28-page booklet providing a detailed background narrative and discography, this is once again an absolute must for enthusiasts and collectors of classic R&B.

Disc: 1
1 When The Saints Go Marching In (Sidney Bechet's Blue Note Jazzmen) - Sidney Bechet's Blue Note Jazzmen
2 Maple Leaf Rag (Jelly Roll Morton) - Jelly Roll Morton
3 Tiger Rag (New Orleans Rhythm Kings) - New Orleans Rhythm Kings
4 A Handful Of Riffs (Lonnie Johnson & Eddie Lang) - Lonnie Johnson & Eddie Lang
5 Perdido Street Blues (Johnny Dodds) - Johnny Dodds
6 Put Me In The Alley Blues (Richard M Jones) - Richard M. Jones
7 Travelin' Blues (Lovie Austin And Her Blues Serenaders) - Lovie Austin and Her Blues Serenaders
8 Sweet Mumtaz (Luis Russell) - Luis Russell
9 Wiggle Yo' Toes (Q.R.S. Boys) - Q.R.S. Boys
10 Root Hog Or Die (The Harlem Hamfats) - The Harlem Hamfats
11 Runenae Papa (Horace Eubanks with Zutty Singleton) - Horace Eubanks with Zutty Singleton
12 Big Noise From Winnetka (Bauduc & Haggard) - Bauduc & Haggard
13 Dear Old Southland (Sidney Bechet & Noble Sissle) - Sidney Bechet & Noble Sissle
14 Sous Les Palmiers (Haitian Orchestra with Sidney Bechet) - Haitian Orchestra with Sidney Bechet
15 Look Over Yonder (Zutty Singleton) - Zutty Singleton
16 King Porter Stomp (Zutty Singleton and his Orchestra) - Zutty Singleton
17 Besame Mucho (Edmond Hall) - Edmond Hall
18 Mo Pas Lemme Ca (James P. Johnson) - James P. Johnson
19 Chocko Mo Feendo Hey (Danny Barker) - Danny Barker
20 Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing (Danny Barker) - Danny Barker
21 Eh La Bas (Paul Barbarin) - Paul Barbarin
22 Blanche Touquatoux (Kid Ory & His Creole Jazz Band) - Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band
23 Just a Closer Walk with Thee/Lady Be Good (George Lewis Eureka Brass Band) - George Lewis Eureka Brass Band
24 South Rampart Street Parade (Bob Crosby's Bobcats) - Bob Crosby's Bobcats
25 The Saints (Papa Lightfoot) - Papa Lightfoot

Disc: 2
1 St James Infirmary (Louis Armstrong) - Louis Armstrong
2 Didn't He Ramble (Louis Armstrong) - Louis Armstrong
3 James Alley Blues (Richard Rabbit Brown) - Richard 'Rabbit' Brown
4 Crazy Cryin' Blues (Memphis Minnie) - Memphis Minnie
5 New Orleans Joys (Jelly Roll Morton) - Jelly Roll Morton
6 Old New Orleans Blues (Willie Jackson) - Willie Jackson
7 Mama Cookie (Ann Cook) - Ann Cook
8 Black Snake Blues (King Oliver) - King Oliver
9 I'm Not Rough (Louis Armstrong) - Louis Armstrong
10 Funny Feathers (Victoria Spivey) - Victoria Spivey
11 Louisiana Bound (Charley Taylor) - Charley Taylor
12 Bread And Water Blues (Kid Stormy Weather) - Kid Stormy Weather
13 Allons a Lafayette (Joe Falcon & Cleoma Breaux) - Joseph Falcon
14 Keep A Knockin' (Milton Brown ) - Milton Brown
15 Deceived Blues (Ann Turner) - Anne Turner
16 Cabbage Greens No. 1 (Champion Jack Dupree) - Jack Dupree
17 Mississippi Town (Creole George Guesnon) - Creole George Guesnon
18 Gran Prairie (Happy Fats & Rayne-bo Ramblers) - Happy Fats & Rayne-Bo Ramblers
19 New Low Down Dog (Champion Jack Dupree) - Jack Dupree
20 I'm Cuttin' Out (The Harlem Hamfats) - The Harlem Hamfats
21 Sidney's Blues (Sidney Bechet) - Sidney Bechet
22 Just As Soon As I Go Home (Cousin Joe) - Cousin Joe
23 Hackberry Hop (Harry Choates & His Melody Boys) - Harry Choates & His Melody Boys
24 Trouble In Mind (Lonnie Johnson with Karl Jones) - Lonnie Johnson with Karl Jones
25 Junker Blues (Champion Jack Dupree) - Jack Dupree
26 Box Car Shorty And Peter Blue (Cousin Joe) - Cousin Joe