His music was a strange mix of old island classics, more recent calypso compositions and American ballads. His musicians combined jazz guitar licks with vocal harmonies and West Indian rhythms, with the result his recordings have an easy humour and swing that few musicians from any continent can match.

Alphonso Blake Higgs, commonly known as Blind Blake, was born at Matthew Town, Inagua, Bahamas, in 1915. He was adept at string instruments – ukulele, banjo, tenor banjo, six-string guitar – and also played the piano. He lost his eyesight at the age of 16 and kept pursuing the goal of a career in music and a unique style, a blend of folksong, calypso and early jazz. His recognition grew from 1935 when he recorded for Philco Radio some of his own songs on the political and social life of The Bahamas.

His most popular song Love, Love Alone ("It was Love, Love alone, Cause King Edward to Leave The Throne") was based on the love affair of King Edward VIII with Wallis Simpson. He was forbidden to play the song upon the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to the colony, but was invited to play the song by the Duke at Government House where he received a standing ovation by the Duke and his party. Blind Blake wrote about 60 Goombay songs starting in the 30s, including Run Come See Jerusalem, based on the effects of the 1929 hurricane, Jones (Oh Jones) and J. P. Morgan. The traditional song Peas and Rice, nearly a Bahaman national anthem, originated during the First World War when the scarcity of imported cooking fats forced the substitution of local coconut oil. And one of the oldest Bahamian song is the tragi-comic ballad John B. Sail (later adapted and performed by many artists, notoriously The Beach Boys as Sloop John B. on their Pet Sounds album). John B. was an old sponger boat whose crew were in the habit of getting merry whenever they reached port.

Blake performed for many heads of state and royalty, such as President John F Kennedy and PM Harold Macmillan. He performed for tourists at the Royal Victoria Hotel, Dirty Dicks, Blackbeard's and many other Bahaman hotels and clubs.

He gave performances in major American cities. Over the years, many visiting celebrities, such as Mahalia Jackson, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, praised Blind Blake for his Bahamian style and his originality. In the 70s and early 80s, Blind Blake's band was employed by the Ministry of Tourism to play at the Nassau International Airport, giving a musical welcome to arriving visitors. He died in 1985.

This CD is drawn from a series of recordings made in the early 1950s. His band The Royal Victoria Hotel Calypsos featured Dudley Butter (guitar, maracas), Chatfield Ward (guitar), Freddie Lewis (lead guitar), George Wilson (bass fiddle) and, at times, Lou Adams on trumpet. Its popularity with tourists led to them being widely heard in the US, and they became an inspiration to many folk revival musicians.

Josh White and Johnny Cash covered Delia, Pete Seeger Foolish Frog, Dave Van Ronk Yas, Yas, Yas, and Run, Come See Jerusalem was done by dozens of groups, not to mention Blake's influence on Harry Belafonte.

This album is a truly fascinating collection. It's also incredibly clear, with next to no background interference, which adds real weight and power to the songs. This is a superb LP to while away a balmy summer's night to – if we ever get any in this country! – or the perfect tonic to a bad day at work when everything in life caves in on top of you.

You just can't help involuntarily moving and swaying to these sun-drenched sounds. Blind Blake's songs are more infectious than a tropical mosquito! Give it a whirl – you'll soon be sipping pina coladas with little umbrellas in the top dressed in a dodgy Hawaiian shirt while rigging up that old hammock you buried in the garage. Worth it for the feelgood factor alone!

Release Date: June 29