The "Essential Taj Mahal" CD, released by Columbia in 2005, is a compilation album featuring the best of Taj Mahal's modern acoustic blues and contemporary blues styles. With songs spanning the 1960s to the 1990s, this album showcases the talent and versatility of Taj Mahal as a studio recording artist. Whether you're a fan of blues music from the era or looking to explore new sounds, this CD is a must-have for any music lover.