There are a lot of albums out there claiming to be the perfect thing to play at your next barbecue, or whatever it is you host when the weather gets warm. Most of them are ... ehhh. But not only is Fabulous Thunderbird Kid Ramos's second solo album, West Coast House Party, a damn fine piece of work, it really may be the perfect party record, whether you're a blues fan or not. Given the lineup of guest talent, it could hardly be anything but good: Gatemouth Brown, James Harman, Rick Holmstrom from Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Duke Robillard, Junior Watson, fellow Fab T-Bird Kim Wilson, Rusty Zinn, and more. A bad album from this lot would mean the world was about to end, no question. No less extraordinary is the selection of material, showcasing the best of the West Coast blues tradition: the legendary T-Bone Walker gets two nods, "Strollin' with Bone" and "Welcome Blues." It's smooth stuff, chock-full of horns and big, fat guitar lines, and thoroughly danceable. Roll up the rug and bring out the mixers; the party's on. --Genevieve Williams