Robin Trower is a guitarist's guitarist, best appreciated by enthusiasts. The Brit has earned comparisons to Hendrix throughout his career for his soulful, psych-blues style, while his mastery of tone and pace mixes chops-busting boogie and pyrotechnic supernovas with shadowy, slow-burning licks. After a four-decade career in which he's collaborated with the likes of Procol Harum, Jack Bruce and Bryan Ferry, as well as solo work, Trower finally sang his own songs on 2009's What Lies Beneath, showcasing a nicely weathered soul-rock croon. He recruited singer Davey Pattison for last year's The Playful Heart, a fetching album that showcases Trower's evocative guitar phrasing. —Chris Parker