When the Philosopher Kings breezed onto the scene in 1994, radio was a battleground between Stone Bush Jam and weightless dance music. By comparison, Philosopher Kings was a breath of fresh air, to use the old cliché. Although the material was soulful and funky, the basic underpinning of what the group did was smoky vocal jazz. Throughout the album, it works beautifully, mixing the best of old and new into a thoughtful brew that stands up to repeated listenings. The band’s interpretation of Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman” is a particular highlight. – Sean Carruthers