Rushonrock’s resident bluesman John Burrows has his finger on the pulse of rock’s most storied genre and his year-end list is always a must-read. Even if he can’t help slipping in some jazz…

10. Dion — Girl Friends (Keeping The Blues Alive Records)

Dion’s Girl Friends isn’t just a throwback; it’s a masterclass in timeless cool. The Bronx-born rock ‘n’ roll legend proves once again he hasn’t lost an ounce of swagger, even as he approaches his mid-80s. On this collaboration-heavy album, Dion pairs up with a stellar line-up of female talent — names like Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, and Debbie Harry — to deliver a blues-soaked, rock-tinged love letter to the women of the scene.

From the first strut of Soul Force with Copeland’s powerhouse vocals, you know you’re in for a ride of grit and grace. Dion’s signature voice, still weathered but strong, holds its own beside these modern titans. The standout, New York Is My Home, featuring Harry, radiates rough city nostalgia, effortlessly blending old-school cool with a shot of punk attitude.

Girl Friends feels like a bridge across generations — a celebration of enduring artistry and camaraderie. Dion remains the epitome of ageless swagger and, with Girl Friends, he’s showing us that rock ‘n’ roll is truly a timeless affair.

9. Chris Smither — All About The Bones (Signature Sounds Recordings)

If Chris Smither’s latest offering, All About the Bones, proves anything, it’s that less is often so much more. The veteran songwriter and fingerstyle guitar wizard delivers an album that’s raw and weathered; a stripped-back journey through folk-blues territory where every note feels like a confession whispered through gritted teeth.

Opening with Down To The Frame, Smither’s deft guitar work complements his gravelly, world-weary drawl, delivering musings on mortality and perseverance. There’s a stark beauty to the minimalism here: no overblown production, just Smither’s guitar, that stomping foot and stories that cut to the bone.

Tracks like Shadow’s Truth and Bare-Boned Blues are melancholic and defiant in equal measure, weaving reflections on age, loss, and redemption. Smither doesn’t need bells and whistles; his guitar work alone carries an emotional weight most full bands could only dream of.

The title says it all: All About The Bones strips blues down to its skeletal core. No pretence, no fluff – just raw, honest craftsmanship. Smither, at 79, remains a master of his craft. This is a record that lingers long after the last note fades.

8. Beth Hart — You Still Got Me (Provogue Records)

Beth Hart’s You Still Got Me is a ferocious testament to resilience and raw vulnerability. The LA-born blues-rock powerhouse once again bares her soul with an intensity that’s almost intimidating. Hart has never been one to shy away from emotional wreckage and, on this album, she navigates heartbreak, survival and redemption with a voice that roars, weeps and cracks beautifully under the weight of experience.

Opening with the searing Burn It All Down, Hart comes out swinging, backed by a gritty, fuzz-laden riff , laden full of swagger. Her voice — equal parts gravel and silk — commands attention, teetering on the edge of breakdown and breakthrough. The title track, You Still Got Me, is a spine-tingling piano ballad that finds Hart reflecting on love’s ashes with a rare and bruising tenderness.

There are moments of raw funk (Bad Timing Blues) and soul-drenched rock (Hard Lessons), but it’s the stripped-back tracks that devastate the most. On Open Wounds her voice quivers with unfiltered pain, and you believe every word.

Beth Hart continues to prove she’s one of the most honest voices in rock today. This is an album for the survivors — and it hits hard.

7. Robert Jon and the Wreck — Red Moon Rising (Journeyman Records)

Southern rock torchbearers Robert Jon and the Wreck return with Red Moon Rising, a thunderous, whiskey-soaked ride that straddles classic rock, blues, and a touch of country grit. This is an album that feels like a road trip through the dusty heart of America — all blistering guitar solos, anthemic choruses, and stories of love, loss, and redemption.

The opening title track, Red Moon Rising, drives out of the blocks with Robert Jon Burrison’s soulful growl, evoking shades of Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. Rescue Me offers a swampy, blues-soaked swagger, complete with harmonised guitars that dance and duel.

The band shines brightest on tracks like Old Friend — a whiskey-drenched ballad that tugs at the heartstrings — and Stone Cold Killer, which showcases their knack for searing rockers. The musicianship is tight but never sterile, with each song sounding like it was born in a sweat-soaked live setting.

Red Moon Rising doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it doesn’t need to. It’s Southern rock done right — loud, proud, and ready to rumble.

6. Slash – Orgy Of The Damned (Gibson Records)

The king of swagger returns with Orgy of the Damned — a riotous, riff-fuelled celebration of classic blues-rock, served with his signature bite. This isn’t Guns N’ Roses-style bombast: it’s a fiery love letter to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll — the classics, soaked in bourbon and sweat.

Kicking off with Killing Floor, Slash’s guitar tears through the mix, all searing bends and swampy grit, while guest vocalists like Chris Stapleton and Iggy Pop bring extra heat. The album fuses traditional blues with hard-rock muscle — Born Under a Bad Sign grooves with a mean snarl, while Hoochie Coochie Man is a raunchy stomp dripping with attitude.

Orgy of the Damned is exactly what it promises: a wild, whiskey-fuelled romp through the darker corners of blues history. It’s messy, loud, and gloriously excessive — just the way Slash likes it.

5. Marcus King – Mood Swings (Republic Records)

With Mood Swings, Marcus King steps away from his southern rock comfort zone and dives headlong into the swirling waters of soul, funk, and heartbreak. This is King at his most personal, delivering a deeply introspective album soaked in vintage tone and raw vulnerability.

Opening track Tired of Trying sets the mood with smouldering organ swells and King’s voice cracking under the weight of weary resilience. There’s a retro-soul vibe to tracks like Fool For Love — all smooth grooves, bold brass, and heart-on-sleeve lyricism. But King doesn’t just dwell in melancholy: Harder To Love injects some swaggering funk, his guitar work sharper than ever.

The album’s highlight is Midnight Confessions, a slow-burning ballad where King lets his vocals soar, laying bare his struggles with heartbreak and redemption. 

Mood Swings is an apt title — the emotional peaks and valleys are palpable. Marcus King proves he can bend genres to his will, and while his blues roots are evident, this is an artist stretching his wings.

4. The Peterson Brothers – Experience (Not on Label)

Blues might be steeped in tradition, but The Peterson Brothers infuse it with youthful fire and funk-soaked finesse on Experience. This independently released gem from the Texas siblings is a masterclass in groove, laced with infectious energy and technical brilliance.

The album kicks off with Soul Revival — a track that blends silky guitar licks, a funkified rhythm section and vocals that ooze charm. There’s a fluidity to their playing that feels effortless, yet packed with confidence. The Petersons channel the spirit of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King, but tracks like Funky Situation showcase a contemporary twist, blending wah-drenched guitars and basslines that swagger.

The title track, Experience, is a smooth, soulful jam that highlights their chemistry. It feels live, raw, and spontaneous — exactly how blues should. While Can’t Help Myself drips with slow-burning sensuality, Texas Heat is a fiery instrumental workout that lets their virtuosic talent blaze.

The Peterson Brothers are young, but their sound is seasoned. Experience is more than just a blues record; it’s a statement that the genre’s future is in good hands.

3. The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards (Silver Arrow)

The Black Crowes have always thrived in the dust bowl of rock ‘n’ roll’s golden age, and Happiness Bastards finds them roaring back with a glorious vengeance. After years of turbulence and hiatuses, the Robinson brothers have buried the hatchet (for now) and delivered a raw, unapologetic record.

Opener Bedside Manners is unmistakably Crowes. Chris Robinson’s voice still drips with that Southern-fried rasp, while Rich Robinson’s guitar work is a masterclass in bluesy riffage. Tracks like Rats and Razors are a sleazy joyride through Stones-esque rock, while Dirty Halo blends gospel-tinged harmonies with barroom vengeance.

The album’s heart lies in its no-frills honesty — there’s no reinvention here, just pure, unabashed rock ‘n’ roll. Bitter Truth is a reflective slow-burner, and Rebel Heart reminds us why they once ruled the roost in the ‘90s.

With Happiness Bastards, The Black Crowes prove that rock’s old flame still burns bright. It’s messy, loud, and gloriously imperfect — just like it should be.

2. Ezra Collective — Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan Records)

Ezra Collective are here to remind us that jazz is not just alive, but thriving, pulsating, and ready to tear the roof off. Dance, No One’s Watching is a joyous exploration of rhythm and energy, blending Afrobeat, grime, hip-hop, and old-school jazz with relentless enthusiasm. The London five-piece kick off with Rituals — a percussion-driven burst of groove that instantly demands movement. This album feels like a celebration, with deep basslines, dynamic brass, and keys that oscillate between frenetic and sublime.

A standout moment arrives with God Gave Me Feet For Dancing — a track so exquisitely beautiful, it feels like a hymn to freedom itself. The piano glides effortlessly through delicate melodies while the horns add lush, sweeping textures. It’s a blissful, soaring piece that feels transcendent, a reminder of music’s power to uplift and heal. Ezra Collective balance energy with grace here, showcasing their ability to craft something profoundly moving.

There’s a freedom to this record that defies boundaries; it’s not just music, it’s a movement. Jazz purists might squirm, but Ezra Collective’s relentless innovation has turned jazz into a communal, euphoric experience. This isn’t background music — this is a sweaty, joyous dance floor you don’t want to leave.

1. Gary Clark Jr — JPEG RAW (Warner Records)

Gary Clark Jr. has never been easy to pin down and JPEG RAW shreds any remaining labels you might have tried to slap on him. This is Clark unfiltered: a genre-blurring ride where blues, soul, hip-hop, and hard rock slam together with a rawness that feels visceral. Forget polished edges — from the gnarly fuzz of opener Raw Truth, it’s clear Clark is here to get his hands dirty.

    Tracks like Digital Chain Gang ooze with a sinister groove, his guitar snarling like a caged animal. His vocals alternate between soulful smoothness and raw, distorted growls. On New Age Blues, Clark channels Hendrix-level guitar heroics over a beat that could easily fit a rap cypher. The title track, JPEG RAW, dissects modern life’s digital chaos, blending biting lyricism with a grimy, industrial edge.

    There are moments of reflection, like the smoky ballad Dark Side of the Street, but the vibe is mostly one of relentless defiance. Gary Clark Jr. isn’t just pushing boundaries here — he’s obliterating them.

    Main image: Adam Kennedy