Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials new record for Alligator

Lil' Ed Williams and his hard working band The Blues Imperials took time off their busy tour schedule in May to work with producer Bruce Iglauer and engineer Blaise Barton on the new album for Alligator Records. The new CD "Full Tilt" is the follow up to Ed's 2006 release "Rattleshake", also recorded at JoyRide Studio with Bruce and Blaise.

Joining Ed and the Imperials are special guests horns from The Diplomats of Solid Sound, Eddie McKinley and David Basinger, and on piano, Johnny Iguana from Oh My God and Them vs Them. Upon arrival at the studio Johnny proclaimed, "I came here to chew gum and break piano strings, and I'm all out of chewing gum," but fortunately the Steinway held its own, girding itself against the ensuing pummeling assault required to play piano on a Lil' Ed record as well as a man frustrated by lack of gum.

Magic Slim hosts all star musicians on new CD for Blind Pig Records

Blues Master and long time Blind Pig recording artist Magic Slim recently completed his new CD "Midnight Blues" at JoyRide Studio with help from some of Slim's old friends and luminaries including James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Lonnie Brooks, Lil' Ed Williams, Otis Clay, Gene Barge, and the Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings horn section. The Teardrops Jon McDonald (guitar and vocals) Danny O'Conner (bass) and David Sims,(drums) hammered out the rhythm tracks.

Slim's new album was produced by Nick Moss who in March this year also produced Maury Sochet and the Special 20s CD at JoyRide. Blaise Barton and Brian Leach handled the recording of Slim's CD with mixing and mastering by Blaise Barton. During the recording, Blind Pig Records owner Jerry DelJuidice hovered nearby to offer his wisdom and steady production hand.

Midnight Blues is the latest studio album from Magic Slim and the Teardrops, consistently recognized as foremost practitioners of old-school electric Chicago blues. Slim, seventy years young, is a vibrant as ever, playing and singing with passion and strength.

Legendary Producer Jim Gaines and Albert Cummings at JoyRide

Blues Rock guitarist Albert Cummings and Grammy Award winning producer Jim Gaines checked in for a week in April at JoyRide Studio to mix the live CD they recorded for Albert in front of a very enthusiastic audience at the Colonial Theater in Massachusetts for Blind Pig Records.

This is Albert's 3rd release for Blind Pig and he has received critical acclaim for his previous albums and dynamic live performance.

Jim Gaines is well known for producing, recording and/or mixing such classic hits as Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle" and "Jet Airliner", Stevie Ray Vaughan's Grammy Award winning "In Step", Carlos Santana's 15X platinum "Supernatural" as well as Huey Lewis and the News "I Want A New Drug", "If This Is It", "Heart and Soul", and "The Heart of Rock and Roll".

Of the experience, Blaise noted, "At first I was a little nervous, mixing with such a titan who worked on all these records I've loved since I was in junior high. Jim has such a natural flow and in the end I got a peek at some cool mixing tips from the Ben Kenobi of album mixers."