Rick Estrin & the Nightcats

When a modern blues outfit is able to capture a sound that has all but vanished, the group is something to truly appreciate. The Sacramento, California-based outfit Rick Estrin & the Nightcats does this with the nearly forgone urban blues sound that emanated out of the Delta in the early 20th century. The group was formed in 1976 when a few of the band's members were attending University of California, Berkeley and discovered they had a mutual love of vintage blues. Founding member Charlie Baty left the group in 2008 (forcing the group to change its name from Little Charlie & the Nightcats) but after a fresh young guitar playing recruit was brought aboard, it enlivened the group and gave it a much needed boost of vitality.