The King of the Jungle” is back and as always, Eddie C. Campbell delivers the goods. This one is a real finger popper from beginning to end. Like most of the better known blues guitarists from the west side of Chicago—Magic Sam and Otis Rush come to mind—Campbell’s got a sound all his own. (The west side’s Magic Slim doesn’t make the list because he can sound like anybody.) Campbell plays a busy but melodic style on a vintage Fender Jazzmaster, and he keeps the reverb setting on his amp permanently on 10.

Tear This World Up is evenly divided between wry originals and clever covers. Of the former, “Tie Your Time Up” jumps out (“Have you ever had a date / and you knew you were a day late?”). Another witty original from Campbell’s pen is “Care,” with its boogaloo arrangement. Campbell also lays down a sassy instrumental, “It’s So Easy,” which sounds like a Booker T and the MGs number from 1965. Campbell covers Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and even Gershwin here, but he puts his own stamp on the songs.

On all of Campbell’s previous albums, he’s done one Magic Sam cover. This album has two: “Easy Baby” and “Love Me With a Feeling.” This album will surely be under consideration by the Blues Foundation as Album of the Year. If I had a vote, it would get mine.