New releases last eight weeks: Blues

Review: As you will no doubt know if you are reading this, Mountain's debut album is a seminal piece of hard rock history that was released in 1970. Led by guitar virtuoso Leslie West and featuring the powerhouse vocals of Felix Pappalardi, the album delivers a thunderous blend of blues, psychedelia, and heavy riffs. Tracks like 'Mississippi Queen' and 'Theme for an Imaginary Western' showcase the band's dynamic range and undeniable musicianship. Elsewhere, the record's gritty production and infectious energy helped to establish Mountain as pioneers of the hard rock genre and an influencer on countless bands to come. It remains a timeless classic, rightfully lauded for its raw power.

Review: Martin Scorsese's Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series may not be the Academy Award-winning director's most famous contribution to popular culture, but the PBS documentary film saga, in which the legendary director takes us on a journey through the development of a sound he holds dear to his heart, is well worth looking for. Featuring luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, and more, each episode welcomes a different filmmaker, allowing them to refocus on artists they love. For this album spin-off, we centre attention on the mighty Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential of all blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. Although far younger than many of the greats he's often listed alongside, his exceptional abilities on the guitar, and often unique sonics, set him apart from almost anyone else, alive or dead. Listen to what we mean here.