I always did like rap for its poetry, its edge, its rhythm, its groove. But as a lover of the sound of real live instruments- a horn section versus synthesizer, a trap set versus a drum machine—it was difficult to derive full satisfaction from music that was devoid of these musical elements. I also s0metimes had trouble with some blues that got so rocked, especially rhythmically, that it lost its backbeat and soulful core.

Baton Rouge bluesman Chris Thomas, son of bluesman Tabby Thomas (of Tabby’s Blues Box lame), has solved both these problems, rappin’ the blues and playin’ his guitar on his latest CD, 21st Century Blues …From Da ‘Hood. Here we have the low-down funkiness of blues and the low-down funkiness of rap from a musician’ with deep roots in the traditions, but who, at 29, is young enough to be of the hip-hop generation.

Make no mistake-this is a rap album, not just a little rappin’ goin’ down over music. Thomas makes that altogether clear in the intro: “You want the blues, you can’t have the goddamn blues,” he says, before going on to the funky “21 CB,” on which he raps, “This is the blues of the 21st century, and I don’t give a damn if you can’t get with me.” Meanwhile, his guitar is spiking his lyrics, giving them a solid kick. Mick Weaver’s organ fills the tune, giving it a warm base.

Thomas makes lots of references to his blues roots-he grew up in the genre and as a youngman played with Buddy Guy and other legends. I’d bet money that there’s no rap out there that includes names like Lightnin’ Slim, Whispering Smith, and Slim Harpo in the lyrics as does his tune “Blues From Da ‘Hood,” a little history lesson of sorts.

There are some fairly hard edged raps as well, but on “Kill Somebody: Thomas doesn’t say he is going to do the deed, but feels like it-a different thing entirely. For the most part Thomas’ raps are sometimes angry, but they also contain a positive element. And then again, a real band led by Thomas’ excellent guitar gives the songs a sense of humanity.

“I was inspired by [filmmakers] Spike Lee and John Singleton, who decided to take more control of the images they would put out,. says Thomas of his new work. He succeeds in this. He has remained true to his roots and himself on 21st Century Blues …From Da ‘Hood, sacrificing neither the essence of rap nor the blues, and taking the music to a new and appropriate place.