Even more so than his more famous sister, Queen Ida, Al Rapone keeps the faith of traditional zydeco music. Although he plays with a largely electric band, the Zydeco Express, Rapone’s vocals and accordion are strictly out front, and he doesn’t try any misguided “fusion” or pop crossover moves. (Zydeco doesn’t need to water itself down in order to be appreciated: Its combination of jazz, country, blues, and Acadian fiddle, set to a galloping, irresistible rhythm, is pretty intoxicating all by itself.) Recorded at London’s legendary roots venue { – Stewart Mason