A strong backbeat was only one of Excello’s hallmarks. In Slim Harpo (James Moore), the label had a bona fide crossover star. There’s a distinct country twang in the otherwise soulful “I’ve Been a Good Thing for You,” and “Te Ni Nee Ni Nu” packs a New Orleans dance party into a scant two minutes. “Jody Man” is straight-ahead blues with a deep, pulsing bass line and anguished vocals.

The combination of funky guitar, crisp harmonica, and danceable rhythms— often sounding like a less-polished Chuck Berry tune—was irresistible. Several Harpo songs became springboards into rock for British Invasion-era bands: in 1964 the Rolling Stones made a splash on their debut album with a cover of “I’m a King Bee,” while “Got Love If You Want It” was a highlight of Five Live Yardbirds, the group’s debut album with Eric Clapton. The Stones later revisited their roots with a lowdown, echo-drenched version of “Shake Your Hips” on Exile On Main Street.

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