The Derek Trucks Band: Maybe This Time

Now that Derek Trucks has recorded with McCoy Tyner, maybe jazz fans will start paying attention to this exceptional artist. His previous CD, Songlines (2006), has been a frequent friend to my CD player, and this follow-up, Already Free (2009), maintains the same high standards. It's hard to pick the best track on this CD, but "Maybe This Time" is a contender. You may want to pigeonhole this guitarist as a blues or rock act, but if you listen to Trucks's solo on this track you might be reminded of a sitar player or a kora-equipped griot. What you won't find here are stale blues licks. In short, haughty jazz cats could learn a thing or two about improvising from Mr. Trucks. And the rhythm section is happening . . . and I mean Steely Dan-level happening. The jazz purity police may want to stop you from listening to Derek's music, but in this instance civil disobedience is highly recommended.