John Medeski, The North Mississippi Allstars, Robert Randolph: The Word (ropeadope/Rykodisc)

IF YOU DIG the pulsating sound of a fully revved-up Hammond B3, the headlong rush of a low-down bar-band playing the blues and the close-to-heaven screaming of a pedal steel guitar then this is for you. I'm tempted to call it an unholy combination, but in fact it'll exorcise your winter blues in less time than it takes to shout "Hallelujah". Starting from a shared love of the Arhoolie Records Sacred Steel recordings, made in House of God church services, NMA and jazz organist Medeski then saw Randoph play in New York and, blown away, invited him to join them.