Canned Heat, John Lee Hooker – Hooker 'N Heat (2xLP, Pure Pleasure)

For all its restraint, Hooker 'n Heat is still a collaborative effort, split between unaccompanied solos by John Lee Hooker, tracks by the Hooker / Wilson duo, and all five as a full band. And it's these collaborations that shine as the respective greatest works of the band and soloist. Even though the band serves as the LP's namesake - the idea for the title "Hooker 'n Heat" likely came from the band's record label - don't be fooled, as Hooker helms the entire combo with the raw and percussive guitar riffs that have become his trademark. The epic "Boogie Chillen No. 2" stretches out over 11 1/2 minutes and features the same 'powerhouse' feel as the original, with the help of Canned Heat the verses ignite and simmer on the ensuing instrumental parts where there is not a weak moment.

The biggest contributor to the success of this session, through good repertoire and planning, is the band. It was able to showcase Hooker in a variety of different configurations, as a soloist in his own distinctive idiom, in a series of phantastic duets with the elder Al Wilson, and as the leader of the whole band (apart from Hite, who worked on the project and spread his infectious humor from the control room) for several sessions of right, dirty boogie woogie.