If you are lucky enough to encounter an actual record store these days, I bet there’d be an entire Duke Robbilard section. And that is as it should be. Is there a musician around whose art is as prolific and consistently high-quality as the blues guitarist? His multiple Grammy nominations and his four Blues Music Award wins are merely suggestive of his talent. The real evidence is in the music.

Robbilard’s latest release, Roll With Me, is the culimnation of a profoundly successful relationship with Stony Plain Records. Work on the disc began years ago (2005), and after years of touring, playing, and recording other albums, it is finally ready for release.

The wait was worth it. Roll With Me is a very agreeable journey with a big band that explores every nook and cranny of the blues. Every musical idea is fully developed and each musician gets more than just a moment or two to shine. The exceptional quality of the 12 tracks on the album explain why Robbilard has been so busy for the past two decades. Returning to them now suggests that he always had what it takes.

Musicians: Mark Teixeira (drums), Marty Ballou (acoustic/electric bass), Matt McCabe & Bruce Bears (pianos), Chris Cote (vocal/2 tracks), Doug James & Mark Earley (baritone/tenor saxes), Rich Lataille (alto/tenor saxes), Pam Murray & Carl Querfurth (trombones), Doug Woolverton (trumpet), Sugar Ray Norcia (harmonica), and Al Basile (cornet).