Keb' Mo'

Keb’ Mo’ dropped Bluesamericana last year, notching a new chapter for his career and merging the traditional scene from which he grows with the finger-pickin’ uber-popular world of indie Americana music (a la the Lumineers, etc.). “I only make albums when I’m inspired to, and these 10 songs come from a very honest place,” he said at the time. And it’s a great album. Opener “The Worst is Yet to Come” sets the stage with the blues great’s deep voice arcing across banjos, harmonicas, and a steady six-string lope. Throughout, the album teeters expectedly more toward the blues, but Keb’ Mo’ injects enough “new” influences to make it an intriguing collection of songs for anyone interested in fine guitar work. And while we’re at it, don’t sleep on his 1994 debut. Stellar blues. (Eric Sandy)