Album: The Natch'l Blue, Taj Mahal (SPV Blue)

Though less celebrated than his self-titled debut, the follow-up The Natch'l Blues may be Taj Mahal's best work. It's certainly his most consistent album, despite its diversity.

It's steeped in classic blues licks adapted to new settings: "Corinna" is a cakewalk version of the Big Joe Turner standard, picked out on spindly guitar and electric piano, while Taj's own "Done Changed My Way Of Living" is basically Howlin' Wolf's "Forty-Four" riff with a lighter spring in its step and a new suit of lyrics.

In its later stages, the album shifts gears impressively, with a Memphis funk arrangement of the folk standard "The Cuckoo", a soulful reading of William Bell's "You Don't Miss Your Water (Till Your Well Runs Dry)" scorched by smouldering horns, and a punchy romp through Homer Banks' "Ain't That A Lot Of Love".