Rob Baird’s freshly released Smoke on the Breeze delivers on its promise of toe-tapping, soul-searching Americana. The Austin-based singer and guitarist’s smooth twang and expert songwriting shine on the somber acoustic duet “Someday,” the sensual funk of “Woman (Your Love Is Right),” and the yearning ballad “Baby Got a Hold on Me.” The album clocks in at just 34 minutes, but Baird’s robust discography gives him a deep well to draw from. Multi-instrumentalist Danny Golden offers his pop-influenced, psych-tinged Americana as the opener. – Joseph Gonzalez
