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For all its influence, it sometimes feels like the Chicago blues label Chess Records doesn’t get the respect it deserves. That changes this fall with a series of new compilations and reissues of old ones, set for release from Universal Music Group to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the label’s creation.

Polish immigrants Leonard and Phil Chess became ingratiated into the club scene on the south side of Chicago in the ’30s and ’40s. They were intrigued by the thriving local talent – many of them Black transplants from the Mississippi delta who put their spin on the unique Southern blues style that developed there. (One of the keys to “Chicago blues” was an emphasis on amplified instruments instead of acoustics, from the guitars of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Diddley to even harmonica player Little Walter, whose popularization of electric blues harp – cupping a microphone to the instrument and radically altering its sound.) In 1950, the brothers took control of a small label called The Aristocrat of Records, transforming it into Chess and its imprints, including Checker, Argo and Cadet.

After releasing jazz and blues sides for a year, Chess worked with Memphis producer Sam Phillips (who had not yet established his Sun label), releasing Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats’ “Rocket 88” in 1951; the track, written and performed by Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm, is credited as one of the first “rock and roll” records. The label would also sign Chuck Berry, whose pioneering rock sound helped shift the axis of popular music. As Chess matured into the ’60s, issuing popular recordings from Etta James’ “At Last” to Fontella Bass’ “Rescue Me” and material from acts like the jazzy Ramsey Lewis Trio and vocal groups The Moonglows and The Dells, the label also found its elder signees – Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson II and others – the beneficiaries of attention from a new generation of white British musicians. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and others idolized and emulated these performers, many of whom enjoyed larger live audiences overseas in the wake of the British Invasion. The Chess brothers sold the label shortly before Leonard’s passing in 1969; Phil enjoyed a lengthy retirement until his passing in 2016. By then, more than a dozen of Chess’ marquee names and personnel had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Blues Hall of Fame, with 16 songs in the Grammy Hall of Fame and several works preserved by the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

In that spirit comes the first in a series of vinyl reissues from the label. On October 17, the label will reissue two early LPs from their discography: 1958’s The Best of Muddy Waters and 1959’s Moanin’ in the Moonlight from Howlin’ Wolf. These classic collections offer 12 tracks apiece from each bluesman’s discography, offering a fine summary of their early works from Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I’m Ready” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You” to Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightnin’,” “Evil” and “How Many More Years.” These “Chess 75” vinyl titles will be packaged in tip-on gatefold sleeves printed on high-quality board, retaining the original packaging elements throughout (including Paul Ackerman’s notes for Moanin‘ and liner notes from legendary Chicago-based historian Studs Terkel on The Best of Muddy Waters). But the best part is the pressing details themselves: not only are these LPs cut on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, but all titles in the Chess 75 line will be sourced from recently-located analogue album masters. (Much of the Chess master recordings were feared destroyed in the 2008 fire on the Universal Studios backlot.) These will be high-quality presentations of albums that deserve them.

And there’s new compilations to be had, as well. On November 14, Universal will issue Let’s Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology, a new 2LP set offering 25 of the label’s most essential tracks. The set is curated by eminent drummer Steve Jordan, a known appreciator of the Chess legacy. The versatile percussionist cut his teeth playing in the house band for Saturday Night Live, and was plucked alongside a murderer’s row of session legends to keep the beat when cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd started covering Chess sides and soul favorites as The Blues Brothers. He also served in the backing band for the all-star 1987 concert film Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll and has been a longtime collaborator with Keith Richards of Chess disciples The Rolling Stones – and when longtime drummer Charlie Watts elected to sit out of the last leg of the Stones’ No Filter Tour in 2021 shortly before his passing, he picked Jordan to take over his stool. Jordan has also penned liner notes for the collection sharing his lifelong personal appreciation for the music of Chess and its many backing musicians (who are credited in the gatefold).

Finally, if you’re looking for a smart addition to your holiday albums, the newly-curated The Chess Records Christmas Album is the ticket for you. Perhaps the most eclectic of the titles covered in this post, it offers 14 unique entries in the Christmas canon, from Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” and The Moonglows’ “Hey Santa Claus” to obscure soul, jazz and gospel fare from the likes of The Soul Stirrers, Kenny Burrell, The Meditation Singers, Rotary Connection, The Salem Travelers and more. (A particular standout is an instrumental take on “The Little Drummer Boy” by the studio group Lenox Avenue, which featured session legends Chuck Rainey and Richard Tee. It’s one of four new-to-digital tracks on the collection.) The Chess Records Christmas Album will be released simultaneously with Let’s Play Chess on November 14, available on blue frost vinyl, CD or digitally. (We’re pleased to share that the physical package includes liner notes by our own Mike Duquette!)

Pre-order links for all these titles are on Amazon; as an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Muddy Waters, The Best of Muddy Waters (Chess 75) (originally released as Chess LP 1427, 1958 – reissued Chess, 2025) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side A

1. I Just Want to Make Love to You
2. Long Distance Call
3. Louisiana Blues
4. Honey Bee
5. Rollin’ Stone
6. I’m Ready

Side B

1. (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man
2. She Moves Me
3. Mad Love (I Want You to Love Me)
4. Standing Around Crying
5. Still a Fool
6. I Can’t Be Satisfied

Track A1 released on Chess single 1571, 1954
Track A2 released on Chess single 1452, 1951
Track A3 released on Chess single 1441, 1950
Track A4 released on Chess single 1468, 1951
Track A5 released on Chess single 1426, 1950
Track A6 released on Chess single 1579, 1954
Track B1 released on Chess single 1560, 1954
Track B2 released on Chess single 1490, 1952
Track B3 released on Chess single 1550, 1953
Track B4 released on Chess single 1526, 1952
Track B5 released on Chess single 1480, 1951
Track B6 released on The Aristocrat of Records single 1305, 1948

Howlin’ Wolf, Moanin’ in the Moonlight (Chess 75) (originally released as Chess LP 1434, 1959 – reissued Chess, 2025) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side A

1. Moanin’ At Midnight
2. How Many More Years
3. Smokestack Lightnin’
4. Baby, How Long
5. No Place to Go
6. All Night Boogie

Side B

1. Evil
2. I’m Leavin’ You
3. Moanin’ for My Baby
4. I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
5. Forty-Four
6. Somebody in My Home

Tracks A1-2 released as Chess single 1479, 1951
Track A3 released on Chess single 1618, 1956
Tracks A4 and B1 released as Chess single 1575, 1954
Track A5 released on Chess single 1566, 1954
Track A6 released on Chess single 1557, 1954
Track B2 released on Chess single 1712, 1958
Track B3 released on Chess single 1695, 1958
Track B4 released on Chess single 1632, 1956
Track B5 released on Chess single 1584, 1954
Track B6 released on Chess single 1668, 1957

Let’s Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology (Chess, 2025) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

LP 1

Side A

1. (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters
2. Juke – Little Walter
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – Howlin’ Wolf
4. Maybellene – Chuck Berry
5. Reconsider Baby – Lowell Fulson
6. At Last – Etta James
7. Sincerely – The Moonglows

Track A1 released on Chess single 1560, 1954
Track A2 released on Checker single 758, 1952
Track A3 released on Chess single 1618, 1956
Track A4 released on Chess single 1604, 1955
Track A5 released on Checker single 804, 1954
Track A6 released on At Last! – Argo LP(S) 4003, 1960
Track A7 released on Chess single 1581, 1954

Side B

1. The “In” Crowd – Ramsey Lewis Trio
2. Rescue Me – Fontella Bass
3. Hi-Heel Sneakers – Tommy Tucker
4. First Time I Met the Blues – Buddy Guy
5. Rocket 88 – Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats
6. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry

Track B1 released on The “In” Crowd – Argo LP(S) 757, 1965
Track B2 released on The New Look – Checker LP 2997, 1966
Track B3 released on Hi-Heel Sneakers – Checker LP 2990, 1964
Track B4 released on Chess single 1753, 1960
Track B5 released on Chess single 1458, 1951
Track B6 released on Chess single 1691, 1957

Side C

1. Ground Hog Blues – John Lee Hooker
2. Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
3. I Do Love You – Billy Stewart
4. Stay in My Corner – The Dells
5. All the Way Down – Etta James

Track C1 released on Chess single 1482, 1951
Track C2 released on Checker single 814, 1955
Track C3 released on Chess single 1922, 1963
Track C4 released on Cadet single 5612, 1968
Track C5 released on Etta James – Chess CH 50042, 1973

Side D

1. Crazy Mixed Up World – Little Walter
2. Rollin’ Stone – Muddy Waters
3. So Many Roads, So Many Trains – Otis Rush
4. Don’t Start Me to Talkin’ – Sonny Boy Williamson II
5. That’s All Right – Jimmy Rogers
6. Spoonful – Howlin’ Wolf
7. My Foolish Heart – Gene Ammons

Track D1 released on Checker single 919, 1959
Track D2 released on Chess single 1426, 1950
Track D3 released on Chess single 1751, 1960
Track D4 released on Checker single 824, 1955
Track D5 released on Chess single 1435, 1950
Track D6 released on Chess single 1762, 1960
Track D7 released on Chess single 1425, 1950

The Chess Records Christmas Album (Chess, 2025)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

1. Run Rudolph Run (Single Version) – Chuck Berry
2. Hey Santa Claus – The Moonglows
3. Santa Claus – Sonny Boy Williamson II
4. Merry Christmas Baby (Single Version) – Chuck Berry
5. Blue Christmas – The Meditation Singers
6. Love for Christmas – The Gems
7. Christmas Means Love – The Soul Stirrers
8. Christmas Blues – The Ramsey Lewis Trio
9. Snowfall – The Soulful Stringers
10. Christmas Love – Rotary Connection
11. Christmas – Chuck Berry
12. Little Drummer Boy – Lenox Avenue
13. Merry Christmas to You – The Salem Travelers
14. Silent Night – Kenny Burrell

Tracks 1 and 4 released as Chess single 1714, 1958
Track 2 released on Chance single CH-1150, 1953
Track 3 released on Bummer Road – Chess LP 1536, 1969
Tracks 5, 7 and 13 released on A Christmas Dedication – Checker LPS 10050, 1968
Track 6 released on Chess single 1917, 1964
Track 8 released on Sound of Christmas – Argo LP-687X, 1961
Track 9 released on The Magic of Christmas – Cadet LPS-814, 1968
Track 10 released on Peace – Cadet Concept LPS 318, 1968
Track 11 released on Back Home – Chess LPS-1550, 1970
Track 12 released on Chess single 2101, 1970
Track 14 released on Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas – Cadet LPS-779, 1966