By Joe Vitale

There is a certain familiarity to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings’ latest release, Give the People What They Want.  Jones, sometimes tough, sometimes sweet, but always powerful, embraces influences from ‘70s funk and soul-infused Motown, bringing ideas of strength, identity and immovability to life. Partnered with the Dap-Kings, she is forever reaching back to big band greats of years past. The act solidifies 10 tracks that are nothing short of catchy, fresh and memorable.

With vocals and instrumentals weaving and winding, rhythmic strings and percussion bustling about and sweet brass sweeping right along, Jones takes hold of the microphone and belts a song that captivates the listener before she even reaches the chorus. Take, for example, the opening track on the album, “Retreat.” Jones, armed with a thumping band and soft tambourines, shouts, “Taking you apart is my kind of fun/Count to three and then you better run/One, two, three, here I come!” It is a sort of poignant declaration, unapologetic in nature. The words are a fine example of Jones’ immoveable spirit and they set the tone for the next few songs to follow.

On other tracks, such as “You’ll Be Lonely” and “People Don’t Get What They Deserve,” the Dap-Kings transform old ideas into something newfangled. The melodies sound revisited, but the detailed arrangements make the songs feel fresh. Jones and the Dap-Kings are mindful of the modern genres with which they find themselves competing, and this pays off, especially with the songs “Now I See” and “Long Time, Wrong Time.” On these tracks and others, the album subtly flexes its muscles without sacrificing its brash attitude.

You may not see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings headlining festivals this year (although, if you look closely, you can find them performing live in The Wolf of Wall Street), but letting this record slip past your radar is akin to skipping over an updated edition of a literary classic. When you pick it up, you may be surprised to find how much there is left to learn from something revisited — and with Give the People What They Want, you might just find it is not only what you want, but also what you need.