For a fine, fine, bitter and ever so darn sweet treat, run out and get Mighty Mo Rodgers' "Blues is My Wailin' Wall." Every little nuance of this brilliant gem of mind-altering music offers evidence that Mighty Mo Rodgers may just have released one of the most important blues CDs ever.

Rodgers, a blues aficionado learned about every aspect and shade of the blues, is a scholar on the subject. He even wrote his soon-to-be-published thesis on the blues.

Listeners shouldn't be put off by the academic credentials, though: You can shake your booty to this one and get a look at the history of our nation. Rodgers wants to say something with his poignant and truth-filled lyrics. He wasn't meaning to just put out the most soulful, funky , bump and shake it-all-over music, a soulful masterpiece, although he did in the process.

He also wanted to get back on the music scene after an extended absence; it was time for his return.

Rodgers' home radio station in Long Beach, Calif. has reportedly given little attention to his CD, claiming that Rodgers' music isn't about the blues. This is absurd. There must be some dirty politics going on.

The title track sets the tone and hints at the learning and fun to come. On ,"Shame," he sings, "it's enough to give the blues the blues." If you don't get the message of that song while the R&B beat drives it home in a powerful way, then maybe you'll never get it at all.

"Took Away the Drum " is the African blues. We hope Rodgers goes to Africa like Johnny Copeland did, and has that experience of bringing his blues in person to the Mother Land.

"Took Away the Drum" was the first song I was turned on to. It was "love at first listen," which is always a very good indication. And when I listen to a CD over and over and iver, and it just gets better and better (as was the case with this one), I get hooked.

"No Regrets," "No Dough" and " Gone Fishin" are consummate blues tunes - original, funky, bluesy, country and hot. "Bring Back ) Sweet Soul Music" drips of the sweetest soul-dripping sounds and it brings to mind Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, not to mention many of the others of that genre.

The powerful "Tuskegee Blues" just reminds one of the heinous events of the past, as does "The Kennedy Song." Perhaps one isn't supposed to write of such serious matters when you're singing and playing the blues?

I am one to believe there are deep, unfathomable areas where the blues come from. Oh, and did I mention the spiritual experience one might have as a listener of the music of Rodgers? This one is infused with powerful gospel roots. Amen.

I eagerly await the next Mighty Mo CD, scheduled to be released by early September 2000. I know it will be worth the wait.