Duke Robillard, a two-time GRAMMY nominee and four-time Blues Music Award winner, celebrates his signing to Nola Blue Records with the release of Blast Off! on February 20 (available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats). With Blast Off!, Duke Robillard does what he does best—displays his incredible consistency with twelve tracks that blend blues, swing, R&B, and jazz in his always reliable and powerful style.

Robillard, known for his work as guitarist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, and co-founder of Roomful of Blues, brings together styles like blues, swing, jazz, and R&B on this twelve-track album. The record includes three originals—two instrumentals and a blues piece first written at age 17. Featured musicians include Chris Cote, Bruce Bears, Marty Ballou, Mark Teixeira, Doug James, Mark Earley, Jeff “Doc” Chanonhouse, and special guest Billy Novick.

The album offers a total event, touching on (and inspiring) nearly every blues mood you can conceive of. What has stayed with me, after repeated listenings, is a track deep into the album, “Warm and Tender Love” (written by Bobby Robinson and Irra Berger), which showcases Chris Cote’s soulful vocals. It is a bonus to a disc full of equally memorable instrumentals.