Hailing from Macclesfield, Cheshire, and growing up in Cheadle Hulme, John Mayall had already made a name for himself on the Manchester blues scene before relocating to London in 1963 at the urging of Alexis Korner.

After gaining a fearsome reputation on the live circuit, Mayall signed a contract with Decca who realised the band he had, The Blues Breakers ? Roger Dean on guitar, Hughie Flint on drums and John McVie on bass ? were red hot and they needed to be captured live. Recorded on December 7 1964 ? and reproduced here in glorious mono ? at Klooks Kleek, above the Railway Hotel in West Hampstead, John Mayall Plays John Mayall was a fine debut, capturing the blues in front of an enthusiastic audience.

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1965 Decca Records UK mono release with gatefold sleeve and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.