Taj Mahal began his career using a variety of blues styles and played with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Lightin' Hopkins and Muddy Waters. After leaving his group The Rising Sons (formed with Ry Cooder) he released his first records, 1968's Taj Mahal and 1969's The Natch'l Blues. He also worked with The Rolling Stones and performed in their Rock and Roll Circus special. In the '70s he began incorporating world music into his repertoire, using influences from West Indian and Caribbean music along with jazz and reggae. He is a two-time Grammy winner, and has scored several movies, including 1972's Sounder.
