Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Retro soul's got to be damn fine to justify its existence, since the stuff it's modeled on is readily available for listening pleasure and embarrassing comparisons. Fortunately, the latest from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings qualifies, thanks to vocal authenticity and musical settings that offer inventive takes on the old blueprint. The Dap-Kings, whose skills are displayed on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, avoid overemoting, opting instead for casual cool that's the aural equivalent of a sly smile. Jones, meanwhile, delivers the likes of "Nobody's Baby" with un­affected confidence. If the results aren't quite as thrilling as 2005's Naturally, the disc will still sound just as good days or nights.