Because of a lack of touring due to health issues (he's a diabetic who suffers from chronic fatigue as well as depression) and a recording contract with a Canadian indie label, blues guitarist Ronnie Earl is likely to remain under the radar. But on his fourth album in four years, Earl proves that he's robust enough to muscle through a set of swinging jazz (Jimmy Smith's "Blues for J"), sizzling gospel ("Walking on the Sea" with the Silver Leaf Gospel Singers), and explosive blues (everything else) with strapping aplomb. As opposed to his previous almost entirely instrumental disc, vocals are featured on about half of these tracks. Kim Wilson sings and plays electrifying harp on four songs, of which a blistering 10-minute version of Otis Rush's "Double Trouble" is a career highlight for both musicians. Earl's burning leads show both an emotional drive and a restraint that make these live-in-the-studio tracks so riveting. Although his body is ailing, his soul is still quite strong. --Hal Horowitz