Long Live the Duke and the King Loose ****

Simone Felice, late of family band The Felice Brothers (and nearly just the late, thanks to a heart condition), steps into the limelight once again with his three comrades for a chunky- funky country soul album. Proving that their tasty 2009 debut ( Nothing Gold Can Stay) was no fluke, The Duke and the King skillfully mine the past to create songs of haunting beauty and occasionally disarming lyrics. "Love is a coke dealer's daughter" begins You and I. While you're getting your head around that, the song's layered textures and harmonies suck you in. Shaky opens with a fuzz guitar and than shuffles along with references to The Jackson 5 and troops in Baghdad. Have You Seen Ithas a taste of Neil Young's Heart of Gold, while Don't Take That Plane Tonightis so retro it could be on a 1960s compilation. Gloriatips the hat to a Belfast man who once wrote a song of the same name, but the current fave is reggae-gospel Shine on You. Good stuff. See loosemusic. com

Download tracks: Shine on You, Shaky, Gloria