Self-released

Though unknown outside Colorado, Chris Thompson is a local Americana hero in his hometown and recruits a number of prominent jamgrass player for his third solo album, The Road Ahead. Produced by String Cheese Incident’s Bill Nershi, the album is a conglomerate of various artists ranging from Keith Moseley on bass to Andy Thorn on banjo. Starting out buoyantly, “Traffic” is a tune that will have you stomping to its upbeat tempo, while “Rest My Soul” includes engaging saxophone solos by David Reid which deliver a palpable jazz groove. Revealing a taste of reggae, “Island Bluegrass” and “Slip Away” give the album yet another dimension. Appropriately, the album’s organic ditty of a closer – “The Road Ahead” – leaves you wandering the highways of Colorado.