There’s always a fear among purists that the banal blues rockers of the world will dilute the sanctity of blues until it is mainstream pabulum. But as long as there are guardians of the genre like harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite, a stellar example of a blues framework will always exist. These dozen tracks represent a live concert that was recorded in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the heart of Delta blues country, for an audience undoubtedly steeped in tradition. As a live record, you’d hardly know it—minimal crowd cheering between some tracks, though it’s favorable when featured.

Kicking off with Eddie Taylor’s “Bad Boy” shuffle, the quartet clicks effortlessly along and instantly establishes an unstoppable groove. Musselwhite never overplays or sells out for testosterone-filled histrionics, instead preferring to slice and dash his way along with a beautiful, pure tone. Over the course of a few tracks, the group subtly amps up the intensity until it’s burning hot on “It Ain’t Right” with guitarist Matt Stubbs’ ascending solos.

Though it’s blues with a salute to the greats like Little Walter, “Billy Boy” Arnold and John Lee Hooker, Musselwhite also manages to work in a Brazilian blues flavor since Brazilian music, like its counterpart Cuban music, represents the intersection of European and African cultures. “Feel It in Your Heart,” is a jaunty forro while the obscure Prince Conley minor key samba “I’m Going Home” jukes to the same type of syncopated beats heard in lots of blues dance music. An easy recommendation for any blues aficionado.