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RUSCH ON RECORDS
(the original 1976 review)

…Fortunately, a new Johnny Shines recording has been issued by Labor Records titled "Too Wet to Plow (LAB 7003). Recorded in Canada in Sept. 1975, it has various backings by Louisiana Red (g and harp), Sugar Blue (harp) and Ron Rault (b), but on four of the 12 tracks Shines plays and sings solo and they are the standouts of the record already a masterpiece. To say that this is one of the very best and perhaps the finest Shines album is also to say this is one of the classic Blues releases of the 1970's. A masterpiece.
-Robert D. Rusch

Cadence
(the original 1976 review)

Roosevelt Sykes has enjoyed a long and prolific career. Since his recording debut in the late 1920s until the present day, Sykes has waxed innumerable records in a variety of settings. His more recent albums for Delmark were alright but nothing special and I was not really sure what to expect of this (Blue) Labor release. I am pleased to report a positive response. First, I must point out that his supporting musicians appear on only six of the 16 cuts, consequently this showcases Sykes' piano and vocal as much as anything. Also on display is Sykes' songwriting ability. With three exceptions, the songs are Sykes' original and as usual this veteran comes through. He has always been an interesting lyricist and there are several standouts on this record - "Dream Woman" and "Funky Side." Neither is a classic but rather are clever entertaining pieces. Sykes must be in his early 70s now, but his singing and playing clearly belie his age. His vocal phrasing is unique and occasionally unpredictable, and his piano work sounds fresh and invigorating.
When his supporting musicians appear, they all provide outstanding accompaniment. All three add something special to this record, especially Sugar Blue who is possible the finest amplified harp player around. Although he appears on only three cuts, Sugar Blue demonstrates great control and restraint while furnishing superior harpwork. More of this man deserves to be heard.
GRADE A QUALITY ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
Kip Lornell - Cadence

"Duo Caramuru & Baldanza"
Bossa in the Shadows

LAB 7083
press release

How does a pair of contemporary Brazilian musicians manage to be traditionalists and innovators at the same time? How does the same pair manage to incorporate the strands of popular and classical Brazilian music and rhythm into a single unified style? The dynamic new Labor Records album, Bossa in the Shadows from Säo Paolo, Brazil, shows pianist and composer Fábio Caramuru and bassist/composer/arranger Pedro Baldanza working across a huge and vibrant musical spectrum that runs from Afro-Samba to updated Bossa Nova, to Duke Ellington, to Villa-Lobos to "dancing the Baiäo to the great Brazilian master Tom Jobim to their own original conceptions. The music has all the ingredients of great American jazz, traditional and advanced, but, at the same time, it is infused with ideas rooted somewhere else resulting in its originality and lack of cliches.

Music of Tribute Vol. 5 – JS Bach
Music of Tribute turns to Bach: Music of Bach and Homages to Bach played by German pianist Beatrice Berthold

LAB 7079
press release

Beatrice Berthold performs a “Tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach” in the form of works by the master himself (including various preludes and fugues as well as the famous “Italian Concerto”) plus works by 20th century masters ranging from one of the great Bachianas Brasileiras by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos to works of tribute by Béla Bartók, Dmitri Shostakovich, Francis Poulenc, Terry Riley, Arthur Honegger, György Kurtág and others.

Johnny Shines "Too Wet To Plow"
Critically hailed 1975 solo, duo and trio performances by the late master, featuring Louisiana Red (guitar, harp) and Sugar Blue (harp).

LAB 7003
press release

"Too Wet To Plow captures the brooding, unrepentant passion of the Mississippi blues like no music I've heard in years...Robert Johnson, Shines' mentor, called the blues a heart disease, and that's what Too Wet is - the disease and the cure." – Greil Marcus, Rolling Stones
"To say that this is one of the very best and perhaps the finest Shines album is also to say this is one of the classic blues releases of the 1970's - a masterpiece." – Bob Rush, rush on records

Roosevelt Sykes "Music Is My Business"

LAB 7057
press release

The 1975 recording features the legendary honeydripper and veteran pianist/singer in sixteen outstanding performances joined on several tracks by guitarists Louisiana Red, Johnny Shines and harp player Sugar Blue.