Robin Trower featuring Sari Schorr Joyful Sky 180g LP

Robin Trower returns with a stunningly smouldering album, Joyful Sky, featuring powerhouse vocalist Sari Schorr.

Always receptive to singers who can elevate his emotive guitar touch, the 78-year-old heard a quality in the smoky power of the acclaimed New Yorker Sari Schorr that made him want to tear down and rebuild his songcraft around her.

"I've worked with some great vocalists over the years but Sari is dynamite, just an absolute knockout," reflects Trower. "This album really pushed me, made me write in different keys and arrange songs for her voice. I went more down the R&B route this time, because I knew she'd be great with that flavour. But the blues still underpins everything I do - and there's definitely elements from my '70s stuff in this new album."

While the title of last year's No More Worlds to Conquer album could be interpreted as a coded farewell, Trower assures fans he has inspiration to burn and no intention of winding down. As the guitarist reminds us, it was the standout track from No More Worlds to Conquer that provided the segue into Joyful Sky. "The album with Sari started when Alan Robinson of Manhaton Records - who manages both of us - asked if I'd write something for her. The first thing I said to him was that I'd love to hear her sing 'I Will Always Be Your Shelter.' It's a really special song to me. I had to completely rearrange it for her. But I knew she'd be wonderful on that song, and it all grew from there."

For six decades, Robin Trower's career has been an act of quiet rebellion. Rewind the reels of the British guitarist's backstory and you'll find an artist who has always rolled the dice rather than take the path of least resistance. In the early '70s, Trower announced his fearless streak by leaving the security of Procol Harum for a gold-selling solo career whose ever-present Bridge of Sighs album filled the stadiums of North America.