Zoot Suit Riot:  The Swingin' Hits of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies
One of a handful of pop groups in the latter half of the 1990s to exploit the renewed interest in American roots (swing, big band, soul) music, this Eugene, Oregon ensemble scored big with a neat modern update of the old school. Purists take note: Cherry Poppin' Daddies built a following by touring with third-wave ska outfits like Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Reel Big Fish, prompting main Daddy Steve Perry to wryly call his group "third-wave swing." But post-Swingersdance fanatics (rockabilly retro-cats, modern-day sockhoppers, and Royal Crown Revue boosters) don't sweat the particulars. Charged horn arrangements, bouncy rhythms, and saucy verve effectively recall masters like Basie, Cab, and Ol' Blue Eyes while injecting an unmistakable post-punk ethic.--Mark Woodlief