The band was the first of a number of outfits that led Ford to The Blue Line, with whom he recorded several albums in the 90s, among them Mystic Mile and Handful Of Blues.

In the 80s, he had a six-month stint touring with Miles Davis.

The album was recorded with his trio The Blue Line at the now-defunct Cherokee Studios in Hollywood, and released on August 31, 1995, when Ford was 44.

Ford said that the trios creativity came from a mutual feeling that they were playing with peers, working hard, and were all on the same musical wavelength.

This upbeat, rock-influenced song features the sort of clean and exquisitely formed lines and groove that are associated with Ford.

Fords version features his brother Mark on harmonica, while the rhythm guitar is supplied by producer Daniel Kortchmar, a celebrated guitarist and songwriter who helped defined the sound of the singer-songwriter boom of the 70s, and had worked with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Carole King, Neil Young and David Crosby (among others).

During the 90s, when Kortchmar was working with Ford, he was also the musical foil for ex-Eagle Don Henley.

Elsewhere, The Millers Son, a fiery instrumental, showcases the sort of guitar skills that appeal to fans of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Fords blues playing is first-rate and his solos reveal flashes of imagination and musical virtuosity.

Ford told Billboard in 1995, The strongest thing in my musical body is all of these blues influences, and I feel that my approach to the blues is very honest, and its not just, Lets do a blues record, what do you say Ive continually returned to the sources for my inspiration and, at the same time, Im emulating them.

Ford has recorded several Dixon songs down the years, and another of the highlights here is a version of Dixons classic Chicago blues I Just Want to Make Love To You.

Fords version is at a relaxed tempo with a nod to BB King in the swooning notes.

But the focus of the arrangement is Fords guitar and his passionate solo.

Other originals on the 12-song, 55-minute album include When I Leave Here, Running Out On Me and the excellent old-fashioned blues shuffle track Tired Of Talkin.

Its this fervent quality that makes Handful Of Blues one of his most personal and successful albums.

Robben Ford Handful Of Blues Rar