Born thirty-four years ago in Costa Rica, singer, guitar player and songwriter José Ramírez is gradually becoming one of the most prominent names in today blues scene. Deeply influenced by Chicago West Side blues, José has shared stage with big names like Anson Funderburgh, Brian Lee, Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness, Mark Hummel or Mike Wheeler among others.

Recently he signed with Chicago Delmark label, so he has been the first Latin American blues artist to do so, which is a big achievement that strengthens his rising career. Delmark has just released this album with eight José’s own compositions, plus two versions “Bad Boy” coming from Eddie Taylor and “My Love Is Your Love” by Magic Sam. The song “Are We Really Different” is sung in English and Spanish and becomes a tribute to his Hispanic roots. All the songs have the stamp and flavor of the most genuine Chicago blues and let him show his tasteful and careful good work on guitar as well as well-pitched appealing voice, which gives the real calmness and legitimacy to the slow ones and the forceful strength to the other ones.

He is backed by two different bands. In the first four tracks you will find Delmark All-Star Band with Billy Flynn on guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on Hammond B-3, Bob Stroger on bass and Willie “The Touch” Hayes on drums, while in the rest of the songs the band includes André Reyes Jr. on keyboards, Kenny Watson Jr. on bass and Antonio Reyes on drums. Also mention the special collaboration of the always missed Jimmy Johnson in the song “Major League Blues” which gives tittle to the album.

Pay attention! With this recording José Ramírez reaches the ‘major league’ of blues!