By 1995, after five years in Albert Collins's band and 10 years in John Mayall's band, guitarist Coco Montoya had been studying his field so long he deserves a doctorate in the blues. Serving as his dissertation is his first solo album, Gotta Mind to Travel, an impressive document which should pass muster with any examining committee. Montoya has long been known as a tasteful, eloquent guitarist, but on this debut he also reveals a surprisingly strong, supple singing voice and a clever instinct for songwriting. The result is the emergence of an already mature talent on his very first solo project. --Geoffrey Himes