Hidden treasure indeed, that Albert Hall gig must've been special as Taj Mahal is opening for Johnny Winter and Santana, but his set alone is worth the entrance (pre-decimal) charge. Kicking off with a moving a cappella take of ‘Runnin’ By The Riverside', the performance sums up the man's eclectic influences: he can do Louisiana gumbo, tight Chicago attack or even early Band material with aplomb and best of all a sense of joy that sets him apart from some of his more earnest contemporaries. The studio material reveals how daft it is sticking Taj Mahal in a ‘blues’ bracket as his rich vocals embrace Dylan (a tough take on ‘I Pity The Poor Immigrant’) while his harp is glorious on ‘Butter’ aka the soul wonder that is ‘People Get Ready’. A must buy for fans but also for anyone curious about an artist who joins up blues, soul, African and Caribbean roots and the bedrock of Americana. Well that covers most bases then.