Ruby James Featuring Rosie Flores - Bumble Bee (2026)

Even if it's a current release by a newer artist, the kind of rock music I gravitate to more and more these days are the sounds of its formative years - those heavily influenced by the genres that preceded it - and that's exactly what you'll hear if you listen to Ruby James.

James is new to me, but the kind of rock 'n roll the veteran recording artist sings is not. She has made several albums with her feet firmly planted back in the days when rock was rebellious, controversial and cool.

"Bumble Bee" is the singer's showstopping, fiery lead single from her upcoming album, Call It Rock & Roll, that I'm sure you'll be hearing more about here upon its release. The record was a minor hit in 1960 for R&B singer Laverne Baker (#46 on the Hot 100).

James takes Baker's fine, soulful, performance and updates it by turning it into an even better rock song with help from the highly regarded but not widely known Rosie Flores who released her latest album this past fall. While they've been good friends for well over a decade and performed together on stage "Bumble Bee" is the first time the duo has collaborated in a recording studio. You can see and hear Flores play scorching lead guitar all over the fun video.

You can hear more Ruby James music at her website.

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