This exceptionally rare 10-inch shellac disc features Forrest C. Sykes, the legendary midwestern boogie-woogie piano virtuoso. Side A features "Tonky Boogie" (Matrix U7066), a ferocious, high-velocity piano exhibition defining his heavy-handed, lightning-fast bass movements. Side B, "Forrest's Got The Blues" (Matrix U7067), shifts down into a complex, late-night instrumental blues framework that demonstrates his masterful touch and technical precision.
Recorded in Chicago in October 1947 and released by Aristocrat Records in March 1948, this milestone disc captures the post-WWII South Side independent recording boom. Aristocrat Records was a small boutique label that changed its name to Chess Records just over two years later. This specific pressing stands as a raw blueprint of acoustic barrelhouse piano mutating into a loud, aggressive urban style, structurally serving as a foundation for modern rhythm and blues.
The Blueprint for the Killer: Sykes’ frantic, thundering left-hand patterns and wild standing piano attack on this specific Aristocrat cut directly anticipated the rockabilly style later made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis at Sun Records.
The Madcap Showman: Known to peer musicians as "Madcap," Sykes was famous for a flamboyant live style that included striking the keys with his elbows and pounding instruments until they were physically broken.
The Destruction of the Masters: Following the tragic 2008 Universal Music Group archive fire, the original studio master tapes and acetates for these historic Aristocrat recordings were completely destroyed. Extant original shellac pressings like this survive as the only primary source of his work.
A Finite Legacy: This session represents one of the only commercial recordings Sykes ever cut before his early death in the 1950s, making it an incredibly scarce artifact of a lost musical genius.
Provenance. This record is sourced directly from the respected Michel Chaigne estate, curated by a dedicated connoisseur of historical American vernacular music.

Condition Report
Visual Grade (Side A / Side B): V+ / V++ (Using standard 78 RPM grading definitions)
.Side A (Tonky Boogie): Very Good Plus (V+). Retains an impressive original sheen with only nominal superficial handling marks and light sleeve wisps. Plays with beautiful, robust fidelity, effortlessly overriding any standard post-war shellac hiss.
Side B (Forrest's Got The Blues): Very Good Plus Plus (V++). A strikingly beautiful, high-grade side. Displays high original gloss and near-flawless preservation, showing only the faintest paper cleaning lines under bright light. Superb audio.
Labels: Highly presentable Aristocrat layouts. Sharp, unmarred typography with only nominal friction around the spindle hole.

Postage & Packing Information
78 RPM shellac discs require uncompromising protection to ensure safe transit.
This item will be sandwiched securely between layers of thick card, enveloped thoroughly in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap, and suspended within a sturdy, oversized doubleskin box to eliminate any internal movement or shifting, ensuring all perimeter voids are fully buffered against impact.

Your order will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.

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