Alligator

Anders Osborne, known for his deep-blues slide guitar, rugged, soulful singing and vast gifts as a songwriter (Tim McGraw, Keb’ Mo’), makes an artistic leap forward with American Patchwork, the New Orleans musician’s alternately rambunctious and reflective collaboration with Galactic drummer Stanton Moore. Osborne’s substance-addiction struggles inform these hard-hitting songs, particularly on the scorched-earth opener “On the Road to Charlie Parker,” a slab of funky hard rock. In a similar musical vein are anti-violence stomper “Killing Each Other,” the Hendrix-esque “Darkness at the Bottom” and “Love Is Taking Its Toll.” Osborne turns to a laidback groove on the superb “Echoes of My Sins,” dub-edged reggae on the sweet “Got Your Heart,” Americana balladry on “Acapulco,” elegy on “Standing with Angels” and tender love song with “Call on Me.”