I was working at Music Millennium when the sound of Ike Turner’s blazing guitar leads first set my ears on fire. Bill Rhoades, Music Millennium’s resident blues expert and harmonica player extraordinaire, turned me on to this phenomenal compilation of Ike Turner’s early sides for little known labels such as Sue Records, Flair Records and a rare medley from Crown Records. While recording these singles during the period of 1954 to 1965, Turner recorded under an alias of Icky Renrut, a moniker that would prove to be fitting considering Turner’s bad reputation with women.

While the “Kings of Rhythm” are no slouches, the focus on this record is undoubtedly on the wildly inventive, whammy-bar inflected guitar solos that Turner wrings from his instrument with reckless abandon. On the opening track, “Ho Ho”, a steady backbeat provides the perfect backdrop to the ringing tones of Turner’s guitar, reaching an almost ear-piercing level of sound that pushes this song into the red. Once the toe-tapping, country backbeat of “Steel Guitar Rag” segueways into a blindingly fast solo by Turner, there is no doubt in my mind that he was a true musical visionary who had the gift of blending disparate styles of music into a satisfying whole.

Elsewhere on this release, Turner provides a subtle guitar accompaniment to the slinky burlesque horns and snaking rhythm section on “The Gulley”. This track is destined to be featured in a scene from a strip-club from a contemporay film-noir set in the middle 50’s directed by Jim Jarmusch. In wrapping up this montage of tracks from Ike’s Instrumental’s, I have to say that “Trackdown Twist” features some of the most intense, lightning-quick guitar licks this side of Link Wray, while still leaving some room for a swampy sax solo at the end.

Turner’s playing reveals someone who has honed their craft by spending countless hours learning the R&B and Rock n-Roll classics, while incorporating influences from diverse genres of music like funk, blues, rockabilly and western-swing. I implore you to try to set aside your misgivings about Turner’s sordid past as you listen to these amazing songs.

As far as I can tell Ike’s Instrumentals is out-of print, but you can find it online at one of the sharity blogs, or on Amazon starting at $25. I offer the best of luck to you in your search for this one, as it is truly worth the time and money spent.

I will be back soon with a mammoth Anatomy of a Sample post, so keep your eyes and ears tuned to Ear Fuzz.