Give the People What They Want (Deluxe Version)

Five albums into a crusade to bring authentic soul music back to the people, some things have changed and some things haven’t for Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. One welcome addition here is the fuller implementation of female backup singers, who play the (other) Supremes to Jones’ Diana Ross on great new material like the righteously dramatic “Retreat,” the Motown-ish “Making Up and Breaking Up," and the greasy, horn-driven “You’ll Be Lonely.” Jones continues to improve as a singer, and her vocabulary for phrasing, texture, and dynamic range is mesmerizing; just listen to her on “Slow Down Love.” Although this was recorded before Jones was diagnosed with cancer (she's now in recovery), Give the People What They Want will likely be remembered as the album that put her back in the game—and it’s a very welcome return indeed.