Forbidden Fruit

The Deejays: The Best of the Original 1970s Reggae DJs (Music Club) revisits the roots of rap, back when Jamaican DJs would haul their sound systems from one neighborhood to another, improvising lyrics over someone else's instrumental tracks. Includes hard-to-find cuts from Dillinger, Big Youth and U Roy. For more of the latter, check out The Best of U Roy: Rightful Ruler (Music Club), featuring Delroy Wilson and Peter Tosh. Jamaican Ernest Ranglin's Gotcha! (Telarc) mixes his strong George Benson-like guitar chops with his reggae roots, the combination resulting in an infectious equivalent of Breezin' done ganja style.

Parental Advisory: Listening to blues albums at your age will leave your parents worrying that you drink Thunderbird and have sex with girls whose parents are litigious.The newest from Robert Cray, Shoulda Been Home (Rykodisc), is both warmer and rougher than the albums that first brought him attention back in the '80s. In the liner notes, he thanks Willie Mitchell, who produced Al Green. The hard-driving but subtle production value behind these remarkable tunes barks up the same tree. Sweet Dreams (Telarc), the newest from blues singer Mighty Sam McClain, turns in a dark take of the title associated with Patsy Cline, as well as a load of gutsy R&B tunes in the style of Bobby "Blue" Bland. Much more aggressive is guitarist Bill Perry's Fire It Up (Blind Pig), which, when played at the right volume, will send good vibrations through your nether regions.

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On the fierce Livin' on Love (Blind Pig), not only does guitarist/singer Deborah Coleman bring to mind what Bonnie Raitt might have become had she not chosen to Phil Collinize, her deep voice bombards with an unparalleled level of sultriness and strength. Definitely the next blues player you should check out, as well as the best album in this month's bunch.