His choice of producer for this album reflects what he's attempting to do. Jellybean Johnson has worked with Prince and Janet Jackson in the past and brings that sensibility to some of the less bluesy numbers. But they don't let the edge get completely smoothed out; no matter how much polish has been applied, the grit of the Chicago streets can still be heard.

He even gives a nod to his old buddies by including a little rap in the song "If It Don't Make Money, It Don't Make Sense". In the hands of some people, throwing in different styles like this would sound like nothing more than an attempt at some instant street credibility. But because he has already shown his willingness to expand his horizons on other songs, and the fact it's not just an add-on but an obvious natural progression in the song, it works to show how the blues can be the building blocks for most popular music.

The closest the disc has to a title song is "The Torch Of The Blues" where Lonnie Brooks, Jimmie Johnson, Eddie Clearwater, and Willie Kent come into the studio and give their blessing in song to Ronnie. It's both funny and poignant given the good time they are all obviously having and the fact Willie Kent died shortly after the recording session took place. Both the song and Willie's death are indicative of the fact the music has moved on to the next generation.

Sometimes when we see the son following in the father's footsteps, we sniff around for the scent of nepotism. Does this person really deserve to be doing this, or is he just riding the coat tails of his old man? While it may be an accurate assessment in some cases, when talking about music like the blues or other traditional modes of expression, it only makes sense it's handed down from parent to child.

It's also reasonable to expect the child to put his or her own stamp on the music. This way, not only is the music kept alive for another generation, it also continues to grow and is prevented from stagnating into a museum piece. With The Torch, Ronnie Baker Brooks shows us the blues are in good hands for at least this next generation.