“High Tide,” the new album by BB & The Bullets (Nixon Street Recordings/Dixie Frog), proves, if proof were needed, the universality of the blues. Hailing from Whanganui in New Zealand, the trio offers explosive blues-rock that is both modern and in keeping with the genre’s tradition. The performance is perfect, with even a notable cameo featuring from Eddie Rayner (Crowded House, Split Enz) on organ on the album’s title track. With twelve tracks mixing originals and carefully chosen covers (“Walkin’ The Dog,” “The Thrill is Gone,” “Born Under A Bad Sign,” etc.), “High Tide” stands out as one of the pleasant discoveries of the moment, to be consumed without moderation, of course, and shows that finally, the Blues/Rock genre in New Zealand has shaken off its creaky image and joined the the rest of the world in celebrating the living, vibrant, contemporary and downright kick arse genre the Blues is! Enjoy!