The Kinsey Report

Can contemporary blues be fresh, modern, and eclectic without sounding like Robert Cray or some teenage Caucasian? Absolutely, if it's the Kinsey Report. The sons of legendary Gary, Indiana blues guitarist Lester "Big Daddy" Kinsey -- Donald (guitar), Kenneth (bass), Ralph (drums) -- have been forging blast-furnace urban blues for almost 18 years. The trio, particularly Donald, learned the blues from their dad and his friend Albert King, and also got a good education in fiery gospel courtesy of grandfather Lester Kinsey Sr., pastor of Chase Road Church of God.

Donald's musical education went further, though. As a child of the '50s, Donald and his brothers were exposed to rock, soul, and funk. In 1976, Donald was discovered by reggae legends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, and toured and recorded with both. Donald's brief stints on the road with the Staples Singers and Roy Buchanan preceded his reunion with his brothers for a 1984 album with Lester. In '87, the Kinsey Report released Edge of the City, its first album as something other than pop's backup band. Critical praise for the Kinsey Report's five CDs, which often focused on Donald's gut-twisting guitar work and the blending of soul, rock, funk, and reggae with Chicago blues, proves that the genre can incorporate other musical forms and still sound as authentic as any Chess Records retread.