With the prowess of a sly alley cat and the passion of a devoted lover, Lee Rocker has been one of the most visible and talented flag bearers of the rockabilly scene for more than a quarter century. From his early days as the bassist for the Stray Cats to a string of collaborations with musical legends including Carl Perkins and Scotty Moore through several fine solo albums, Rocker has slapped his way to being one of the most highly respected — and rightfully so — American roots artists out there today. The master of the doghouse bass continues to utilize his explosive formula of melding the influences of classic rockabilly with a host of contemporary sounds on his latest release, Racin’ The Devil (Alligator Records). The collection’s high points include “Runnin’ From The Hounds,” “The Girl From Hell,” and a reworked version of the Stray Cats’s hit “Rock This Town,” given new life with a much darker, almost psychobilly sound. Rocker once again proves that no matter what year it is or what trend may be dominating the mainstream, nothing beats the combination of well written songs, top-notch musicianship, and a clear love for what you play.