(Rykodisc) www.rykodisc.com

Eighteen years after Don and David Was pulled the plug on their dance-rock ensemble, Was (Not Was) is back with a new album and the same vintage R&B-drenched sound that got 'em noticed in the first place. With old-school soul shouters Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Harry Bowens at the helm, the Was brothers are free to create their own surrealistic musical fantasyland where bizarro lyrics are matched with freaky, funky, foot-shuffling dance tracks and smooth-as-silk soul. Throw in guest appearances from musos like Booker T. Jones, Marcus Miller and Wayne Kramer, and a New Orleans-styled rave-up collaboration with Dylan on "Mr. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," and you can't help but get on your feet and shake that booty. Most inspired use of a guest star: Kris Kristofferson's Tom Waits-styled reading of "Green Pills in the Dresser."

Standout Tracks: "It's A Miracle," "Crazy Water"   REV. KEITH A. GORDON