Chess Records has announced new additions to their 75th Anniversary release lineup. Two new compilation albums, The Chess Records Christmas Album and Let's Play Chess: A Chess Record Anthology, will be released on November 14.
The Chess Records Christmas Album gathers holiday classics and hidden gems from the legendary Chicago label. Highlights include Chuck Berry's yuletide staples "Run Rudolph Run" and "Merry Christmas Baby," the joyful harmonies of The Moonglows' "Hey Santa Claus," the jazz brilliance of Ramsey Lewis and Kenny Burrell, plus new-to-digital rarities from The Soul Stirrers, The Salem Travelers, Lenox Avenue, and The Meditation Singers.
From gospel to soul to electric blues, The Chess Records Christmas Album is a welcome alternative to the usual jingled bells and decked halls. The LP is pressed on Blue Frost vinyl and can be pre-ordered here.
Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology was specially curated by Grammy-winning producer and drummer, Steve Jordan. The set offers 25 of the label's best and most thrilling recordings.
From Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to Bo Diddley and Etta James, the anthology showcases the legendary songs that still influence popular culture. Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology is available to pre-order here.
The Chess Records Christmas Album Tracklist:
1. Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run2. The Moonglows - Hey Santa Claus3. Sonny Boy Williamson - Santa Claus4. Chuck Berry - Merry Christmas Baby5. The Meditation Singers - Blue Christmas6. The Gems - Love for Christmas7. The Soul Stirrers - Christmas Means Love8. Ramsey Lewis Trio - Christmas Blues9. The Soulful Strings - Snowfall10. Rotary Connection - Christmas Love11. Chuck Berry - Christmas12. Lenox Avenue - Little Drummer Boy13. The Salem Travelers - Merry Christmas to You14. Kenny Burrell - Silent Night
Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology Tracklist:
Disc 1 - Side A1. Muddy Waters - (I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man2. Little Walter - Juke3. Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin'4. Chuck Berry - Maybellene5. Lowell Fulson - Reconsider Baby6. Etta James - At Last7. The Moonglows - Sincerely
Disc 1 - Side B1. Ramsey Lewis Trio - The "In" Crowd2. Fontella Bass - Rescue Me3. Tommy Tucker - High Heel Sneakers4. Buddy Guy - First Time I Met the Blues5. Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats - Rocket 886. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
Disc 2 - Side A1. John Lee Hooker - Ground Hog Blues2. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley3. Billy Stewart - I Do Love You4. The Dells - Stay in My Corner5. Etta James - All the Way Down
Disc 2 - Side B1. Little Walter - Crazy Mixed Up World2. Muddy Waters - Rollin' Stone3. Otis Rush - So Many Roads, So Many Trains4. Sonny Boy Williamson - Don't Start Me To Talkin'5. Jimmy Rogers - That's All Right6. Howlin' Wolf - Spoonful7. Gene Ammons - My Foolish Heart
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Entertainment News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.