Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of "The Albums 1969 - 1972" by the Climax Blues Band; a 5 CD set comprising the band's first five albums, originally issued on EMI's Parlophone and Harvest labels between 1969 and 1972, namely The Climax Chicago Blues Band, Plays On, A Lot of Bottle, Tightly Knit and Rich Man.

Formed in Stafford in 1968 by Colin Cooper, the band (originally known as the CLIMAX CHICAGO BLUES BAND) recorded their debut album in September & November 1968 with a line up of COLIN COOPER (Vocals, Harmonica), PETE HAYCOCK (Guitar, Slide Guitar, Vocals), ARTHUR WOOD (Keyboards), DEREK HOLT (Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Organ), RICHARD JONES (Bass) and GEORGE NEWSOME (Drums). Issued early the following year on EMI's Parlophone label, the album saw the band gain a wider audience. Shortening their name to the Climax Blues Band, the group recorded and released their excellent follow-up album, Plays On, later that year. By 1970 the band had moved to EMI's "progressive" label, Harvest, and issued their third album A Lot of Bottle later that year. The 1971 album Tightly Knit was arguably their best of this period. The band's final album for Harvest was Rich Man, issued in 1972. The album made commercial inroads in the United States and was the launching platform for their success in that country over the next few years.

This official 5CD clamshell boxed set celebrates the early years of this much loved British band and features each album in a replica card sleeve wallet and includes an illustrated poster.