It’s been more than hard recently to have faith that new school could ever come close to, much less equal, the quality of old school rock and blues music. The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s debut CD Revelator (Sony Masterworks) clears up any doubt that the traditional style is alive and thriving.

Melding Southern blues, funk, soul and rock, it is so exciting to hear a band that sounds like a throwback to a time long past but exists in the living present. Susan Tedeschi has been a longtime fixture on the blues scene as a critically acclaimed singer and guitarist yet as with many blues virtuosos has slipped under the mainstream radar. Her lush voice slips seamlessly from raspy belting to lamenting to blasting and back, much the same as when she plays slide guitar. With her husband Derek Trucks, an equally renowned Allman Brothers guitarist, the collaborative effort between these two white-hot talents produces a powerhouse of finely executed tracks. Backing them here is a top-notch ensemble comprising nine other members including a pair of drummers and Truck’s Allman Brothers and Derek Trucks Band bandmates, Oteil and Kofi Bainbridge. A tenor saxaphonist trombonist and trumpeter round out the lineup.

“Learn How To Love” is a blistering, grinding, pulsing Southern-soaked number. Well welcomed is “Bound For Glory”, a song with gospel roots and Motown inflections that grow right to the climax. Switching gear,”Until You Remember” is a down-and-out ballad about being abandoned by a lover: “I know it ain’t refined, but I hold your place in line/Until you remember that you’re mine.” It’s clear that Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks together channel early Lynyrd Skynyrd, which makes sense given Trucks, who played in the Allman Brothers Band, is from Jacksonville, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hometown.

Some of Trucks’ notes are so closely mirror vocal styling that you’re not sure if it’s him playing or Tedeschi singing. This mostly works to the act’s advantage, though it is, again, confusing at when unexpected.

Sometimes uptempo, sometimes leisurely, one thing you could never call these two powerhouses is halfhearted or mellow. This is a progressive revival to be savored and followed.