Earlier this year, Arhoolie Records, a beloved independent label that has put out classic roots records since 1960, was acquired by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, famed Smithsonian Institution’s non-profit label.

Known for its dense catalog of blues, folk, bluegrass, cajun/zydeco, tejano and other forms of regional music, Arhoolie Records released albums by a number of prominent Louisiana artists over the years. Zydeco icons like Clifton Chenier, BeauSoleil, the Savoy Family Band, John Delafose and Lawrence Ardoin all recorded with the label, as did Louisiana blues masters Snooks Eaglin, Robert Pete Williams and Silas Hogan.

In a logical next, Smithsonian Folkways has now made 335 releases (for a total of 5,500 tracks) available for purchase on CD and digital formats. The new collection includes titles from both Clifton and CJ Chenier, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Michael Doucet & BeauSoleil, Pine Leaf Boys, Mississippi John Hurt, John Delafose and many more.

A number of releases are also now available on vinyl, including Clifton Chenier’s The King of Zydeco, CJ Chenier’s Check Out the Zydeco and Michael Coucet & BeauSoleil’s Parlez-Nouz à Boire, among others.

Take a look at the full collection via Smithsonian Folkways’ website. Remaining releases from Arhoolie’s 650+ album catalog will be made available on a continual basis.