Chicago Blues (Delmark Records) is an LP/digital-only collection of Mike Wheeler's finest sides from his two releases from the label. Wheeler is one of the Windy City's finest blues musicians currently practicing, and his two Delmark releases were both standouts.

Wheeler's backing band is the same on both albums --- Larry Williams (vocals/bass), Brian James (keyboards), and Cleo Cole (drums), with additional support on selected tracks from Omar Coleman on harmonica, Kenny Anderson on trumpet, and Hank Ford on tenor sax.

Two tracks are taken from Wheeler's 2012 release Self Made Man. “Here I Am” was the opening cut on that album, and it's a strong upbeat tune where he returns to his lover after an extended time apart. The title track is a down home blues singing the praises of the music that features Coleman on harmonica.

Five of the tunes come from Wheeler's sophomore Delmark release, 2016's Turn Up!! The title track from that album kicks off this release, a tight track that mixes blues, soul, and R&B in equal measure, adding the horns from Anderson and Ford. “Brand New Cadillac” is a gritty contemporary blues with a hard rock edge, and Wheeler adds a taste of funk to the energetic “Yeah!”

“A Blind Man Can See” is a marvelous slow burner that provides a fine showcase for Wheeler's vocals and his guitar work, and there's also a tasty, horn-driven cover of Little Milton's “That's What Love Will Make You Do” that really sizzles.

There is also a live track with Wheeler, Williams, and Cole joined by Roosevelt Purifoy on keys and Dave Specter on guitar that was recorded at Evanston SPACE and released as a single in 2024. It's a terrific cover of Percy Mayfield's “Serves Me Right To Suffer,” with great fretwork from Specter and Wheeler, who also provides a powerful and soulful vocal, and a nice turn on the keys from Purifoy.

Hopefully, we will see a new release from Mike Wheeler soon, but this excellent retrospective will work just fine until we do.

Any Chicago blues fan, new or old, will want to hear Chicago Blues.

--- Graham Clarke