The second volume in Nighthawk's Chicago Slickers collection includes reissues of some of the finest Chicago blues from the late 1940s through the early 1950s. With artists like Little Walter, Robert Nighthawk, Johnny Shines, Floyd Jones, John Brim and J.B. Hutto, some of the biggest and best names of the era are included here. For more than 30 years, Nighthawk Records was among the leading independent record labels that specialized in the finest black roots music. The label began in the spring of 1976 with the release of four groundbreaking blues reissue albums that Living Blues Magazine called the major event of the year for lovers of post-war blues. Nighthawk eventually transitioned to become one of the first American record labels to make a commitment to the culture and music of Jamaica. They became recognized internationally for bringing some of Jamaica's finest recording and performing artists to the attention of the broader world music community and for playing a key role in establishing the popularity of reggae music in North America. Label founder and owner Bob Schoenfield died in October 2006. With no plans in the works to further issue any of these Nighthawk titles, these may be the last stock of these fine records ever available.
