Rounder

For Little Feat’s 15th studio album – and first ever without drummer Richie Hayward – the durable rock ‘n’ roots band hooks up with Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, upping the jammy feel of an already groove-intensive style. Hunter’s collaborations with keyboardist Bill Payne – which are among the album’s best tunes – include the acoustic Americana of the title track that could be a lost track from The Band; the nostalgic, road-cruising “Rag Top Down;” and the chugging blues bruiser “Way Down Under.” The group taps vintage blues tunes, too, including the rambunctious Mississippi John Hurt opener “Candy Man Blues” and Little Walter’s one-chord closer “Mellow Down Easy,” with Kim Wilson on harp. Fred Tackett contributes several gems – “Jamaica Will Break Your Heart” likely was inspired by the band’s annual Caribbean concert bashes.