*** The Bone Shakers

BOOK OF SPELLS

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How cool can a cover of James Brown's classic "Cold Sweat" be in '97? It's icy, when former Was (Not Was) soul yelper Sweet Pea Atkinson is in control and he's got a wailing Stratocaster bleeding beautiful blue midrange at his heels. The Bone Shakers are a partnership between Atkinson and multi-instrumentalist producer Randy Jacobs, and they specialize in hard dance-floor blues and R&B -- no scrimping on the funk. There's funny/smart stuff like "I Blew Up the United States," and faithful lovers' soul like the classic "Let's Straighten It Out." The intent, whatever the means, is sweaty club music with its roots deep in red clay. Nuthin' fancy, but always right. Give it up for 'em.

-- Ted Drozdowski