MVP's Roots of Blues, Vol. 1 doesn't use African music as the roots of the blues, the way that Rhino's Blues Masters series did on its Roots of the Blues disc. Instead, Roots of Blues, Vol. 1 simply contains a bunch of early country blues songs from such giants as Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Leadbelly, Charlie Patton, Tampa Red, Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Ma Rainey (who performs with Louis Armstrong, Buster Bailey and Kaiser Marshall), plus a few contributions from lesser-known names like Willie "Long Time" Smith and Salty Dog Sam. Despite some good linernotes and strong compilation from Sebastian Jones, the record isn't much more than a sampler, but it's a very effective one -- it's enjoyable on its own terms, and it will likely whet the appetites of neophytes. And when it comes right down to it, that's enough, even though it's a little brief (35 minutes) for a full-priced disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide