Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt released Slide To Freedom in 2007, a highly original and entertaining set teaming one of Canada’s foremost guitarists with a member of one of India’s foremost guitarists. Bhatt’s father, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, has recorded with Ry Cooder, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, and Taj Mahal, and received a Grammy Award. He also invented the Mohan Veena, a 19-string instrument that takes music to an amazing new level. Salil Bhatt is the tenth generation of the Bhatt lineage who has been playing music for over 500 years. He plays the Satvik Veena, which has 20 strings.

The combination of Eastern and Western music made for some compelling music, so much so that Cox and Bhatt decided to record a follow-up, also for NorthernBlues Music, called Slide To Freedom 2- Make A Better World. Percussionist Ramkumar Mishra rejoins the duo for this set and does an outstanding job as the glue that holds things together. Bassist Dinah D is a new face this time around, as is the featured vocalist, New Orleans jazz vocalist John Boutte. The vocals were probably the weakest link in the first release and Boutte’s presence really lifts things up a notch.

Slide To Freedom 2 features eight tracks, three original instrumentals (“A Letter Home,” “Blessings,” and “The Moods of Madhuvanti.”) and one vocal track (“Freedom Raga”) that lean strongly toward the Eastern side, and five wide-ranging cover selections that blend the two genres more effectively. Earl King’s “Make A Better World” gets an excellent treatment with a wonderful vocal from Boutte, who also presents a sublime reading of “Amazing Grace.” The elder Bhatt joins the duo for a smart version of George Harrison’s “For You Blue,” with a playful vocal by Boutte.

While this may not be every blues fan’s cup of tea, Slide To Freedom will certainly please those blues fans who also enjoy world music. Guitar fans looking for creative innovation will also enjoy this release.