Alligator Records is pleased to announce the return to the label of Southern blues-rock guitar wizard, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis. His powerful new album, Winning Hand, is set for January 2018 release. Although he jokes that he’s “the best guitarist you may never have heard of,” hordes of fans worldwide know Tinsley, who is among the blues world’s most revered, respected and well-travelled statesmen. Ellis is also revered as a guitarist’s guitarist, with famous friends including Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Oliver Wood, Jonny Lang and members of Widespread Panic calling on him to sit in and jam.

There’s rejoicing in the land every time Tinsley Ellis puts out a new album, and the release of the soulful Red Clay Soul is no exception. Though he’s been touring and recording over the past forty years, he continues to hone his craft, searching for new sounds and looking for the right notes to fill the bridge or the just-right lyrics to tell the stories in his songs. Like Duane Allman, Ellis wastes no notes, but like BB King, Ellis squeezes in as many notes as he can to his cascading lead runs; there’s an Alvin Lee-quality to Ellis’ graceful playing that washes over us gloriously in all its soul-filled beauty.

Tinsley Ellis has been making great music since his early teens. Tough Love, is Ellis’ third album on his Heartfixer Music label, and follows on the heels of Midnight Blue, his critically acclaimed, hugely successful 2014 release. Personnel on this album are Tinsley Ellis – guitar and vocals, as well as harmonica and piano; Kevin McKendree, keyboards; Steve Mackey, bass; and Lynn Williams, drums. Ellis has always delivered on the promise of music that has passion and heart. His music is played with honesty and integrity that doesn’t rely on gimmicks and flash. Ellis is the real deal, and always has been. Tough Love is his best work to date, and will be a worthy addition to any blues lover’s collection.