Better For You, the second album by Canadian guitarist and singer Chris Antonik is a more than solid effort of uptown contemporary original blues.

Recorded at Bearly’s House of Blues in Halifax, Live In Halifax is varied, soulful, and the next best thing to being there at a 24th Street Wailers show. The great thing about this album is that it accurately captures all the energy and talent of the band, and the appreciation of the audience.

Quick Fix is a strong outing, especially as a debut album. This album features funky blues, Memphis style soul blues (with a pulse!), swing blues, piano boogie, and superior ensemble style playing. Production values are very good, and the sound quality is good as well. A strong album overall, there are several standout cuts here.

Listening to Fulton Blues, a sense of visualization and reality takes hold, making the experience all the more immediate. The clarity and sparseness of the music lends itself to the experience and storytelling as well.

This is very much an album of atmosphere and mood. It is textured, but also ballsy in a quiet, understated way. Sublime. The players sound great, and Scaggs is smoother than ever.

This is blues with a pulse! There are several stellar tracks here. “Digital Blues” will remind you of 70’s soul with its great beat and crisp rhythm guitar (which is a welcome constant throughout the entire album). Bingham slides a nice little bluesy solo in and the keyboarding throughout is a nice touch.

The official, “Well we took a stab at it, thank god this only happens once a year, asking for crucifixion, 3 am cold sweat ‘oh no we forgot someone'” Top Ten(ish) Blues Albums of the Year Staff Picks

The official, “Well we took a stab at it, thank god this only happens once a year, asking for crucifixion, 3 am cold sweat ‘oh no we forgot someone'” Top Ten Blues Albums of the Year Staff Picks

Up until recently, Gary Clark Jr. was one of the best kept secrets in the…

You will notice several things listening to the Kirby Sewell Band. One, this guy has an understated energy and passion in what he’s doing. Two, he’s good at it, and three, he likes to have fun doing it.

Anthony Gomes is back. Not that he really left — but he IS back, invigorated and full of fire. His new album oozes energy and renewal, and his band is kicking too!

With the pinch of gospel and a mix of Los Lobos, Jeff Beck, and a flare of Gospel, Roy Trevino creates an incredible album.