Robert Randolph and The Family Band: Unclassified

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * *)

Owing as much to southern boogie bands of the 70s as to the modern gospel movement, this exciting band fronted by black, pedal steel guitarist Randolph can also pull out the Bootsy funk (I Need More Love, Good Times). With choppy guitars (you can bet they'd do a great Free Ride) and that bubbling bass, they have two seemingly disparate undercurrents, but they whip them together into an exciting brew and sometimes conjure up the magic of late 60s jamming bands like Cream. Then they'll slip back for Soul Refreshing wah-wah blues which would appeal to Ben Harper and Steve Miller fans alike. Or pop some genre-defying stuff (the bruising funk boogie instrumental Squeeze).

Then they'll get all beachside Stevie Wonder soul (Smile) or remind you of the Elvin Bishop Group. Or Al Di Meola's dramatic, late 70s guitar fusion.

Yep, it's all over the place and it comes with the sound of pedal steel which, in Randolph's hands, can sound like a Chevy doing a wheel stand or a hummingbird in flight. The album title is true: expect to be surprised. Constantly.

Label: Warners