“Legacy was my first venture into my songs,” Zakiya told me. “People expect me to do hard core blues, but I’m not a hard core blues person.”

‘Swamp Blues 2’ from 8 Ball Aitken is set for release on April 24 via indieExtreme/RedRockerRecords

Indeed, this album is the “shelter” from the storm that permeates so much of today’s electric blues and Americana.

As familiar as your own shadow, The Funk, the Soul & the Holy Groove from Deltaphonic is also fresh as a brand new tattoo.

‘You Ain’t Done’ from The Proven Ones drops April 17, via Gulf Coast Records

Shawanda’s voice is inescapable and her tone is beautiful yet also worn.

West Coast Highway Cosmic has everything I love

The Reverend Shawn Amos & The Brotherhood’s debut album, Blue Sky, has a street date of April 17.

Jed tells the story with an increasing sense of drama commensurate with the oxygen tank explosion which catastrophically damaged the spacecraft and forced the crew to orbit the moon without landing and to return to earth.

If Black Crow Moan is a confessional, then bless me Father, for I want to sin again.

If ever there were a modern album that appeases the gods of blues purists, Traveling Man is it.

If you’re suffering from a lack of acoustic, down-home blues, Goin’ Home is your prescription.