TONY TONI TONE”Sons of Soul” Wing/Mercury* *...

TONY TONI TONE

“Sons of Soul”

Wing/Mercury

* * * 1/2

If this group represents the future of soul music, the genre is in good hands. The Oakland-based trio of brothers Dwayne and Raphael Wiggins and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley is so loose-jointed, eclectic and groove-conscious that it’s tough not to find something in its sound to enjoy .

Lovers of New Jack Swing won’t be disappointed by “Ex-Girlfriend” or “If I Had No Loot”--funny but biting commentaries on faithless, mercenary cronies--while “Dance Hall” contains surprisingly authoritative island heat. Sounding at times like a hipper, honed-for-the-’90s Kool & the Gang, the group improves on the formula with quirky lyrics and musical segues that keep matters lively. It helps that Dwayne (guitar, bass), Raphael (bass, keyboards) and Riley (drums, keyboards) are multitalented musicians.

Past hits--”Little Walter,” “Feels Good” and “The Blues”--all gave clear hints of the group’s potential for big-scale commercial success. This album--the group’s third--delivers the message with neon clarity.