2008 release that contains all known surviving recordings from Rufus, recorded 1949- 56 including two recently discovered sides from his first recording session for Star Talent, all eight original 78 rpm discs for Star Talent, Bullet, Chess, Sun, and Meteor, three recordings from the Memphis Recording Service, two original versions of songs Rufus covered and more. Rufus Thomas was a one-off: A larger than life character who made as great a contribution to the performance and style of American music as he did to the recording of it. He saw it all from black vaudeville to Rap... and played a major role in the evolution of African American music. His earlier R&B recordings have been unjustly obscured by his later role in the development of Stax Records and his string of Soul hits. But Rufus was a damn fine Blues and R&B singer in the 1950s. And this is one of the best cross-sections of African American music you'll hear from the period. 29 tracks. Bear Family.