In 1968, Chess Records made an attempt to modernize the sound of bluesmen Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters by convincing them to record Jimi Hendrix-inspired psychedelic arrangements resulting in the albums Electric Mud and The Howlin’ Wolf Album. The recording sessions for The Howlin’ Wolf Album featured the same musicians as Electric Mud. Howlin’ Wolf disliked the proposed sound, which he did not consider to be blues. According to guitarist Pete Cosey, during the recording sessions, Howlin’ Wolf “looked at me and he said ‘Why don’t you take them wah-wahs and all that other shit and go throw it off in the lake — on your way to the barber shop?’