Now and then, rock 'n' roll gives us a surprise, something we never would have expected in a million years. Such is the case in the collaboration between Ray Manzarek, the iconic keyboardist who co-founded The Doors, and Roy Rogers — no, not the cowboy, but the incredible slide guitar master who's toured with his band the Delta Rhythm Kings for three decades and produced John Lee Hooker in the '80s.

These two seemingly unrelated forces in music have come together and produced an amazing and highly enjoyable album titled “Translucent Blues,” in stores now on Blind Pig Records. Featuring performances by former Robert Cray drummer Kevin Hayes, Elvin Bishop's bass player Steve Evans and sax master George Brooks, who's played with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussein, to name a few, “Translucent Blues” is a masterpiece of powerful blues/rock, with catchy grooves and hooks, and lyrical poetry laced with literary references.

Most of the songs are collaborative efforts with contributions from such luminaries as Warren Zevon and Jim Carroll. What's really captivating about this record is the interplay between the prog-rock leanings of Manzarek, tempered by the roots/blues feel of Rogers.

What results is a blues/rock album the likes of which have not been seen since the days of Cream. Powerful and punchy rhythms are juxtaposed with tender and delicate melodies, complexities complimented by simplicity, rockin' chord structures in counterpoint with remarkable lyric poetry.

Standouts include the first single, “Game of Skill,” a blistering rocker, “River of Madness,” born from an unfinished lyric set by Zevon, “New Dodge City Blues,” in which Manzarek delivers a very Morrison-like vocal, and the two closing instrumentals, “As You Leave,” a stunning tune from Rogers, and “An Organ, a Guitar and a Chicken Wing,” a Doors-ish jam penned by Manzarek. An astounding album, let's hope “Translucent Blues” is the first of many from this unlikely, but highly satisfying collaboration.

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