Guitarist, vocalist and composer Ernie Vincent has been a staple on the New Orleans music scene since the 1970s. One could find him and his band, The Top Notes, primarily in barrooms and special events where he’d get folks dancing to his large repertoire of original songs and New Orleans-flavored cover tunes.

On Original Dap King, which derives its title from Vincent’s most well-known single, 1972’s “Dap Walk,” he takes a bit of a different track and heads to Mississippi to team with members of the multi-faceted group Squirrel Nut Zippers. Those onboard include Jimbo Mathus on keys and the band’s horns and strings. Also influential are co-producers drummer Bronson Tew and bassist Matton Patton who play an important role on the album by laying down the essential funk.

This is evident on the opening cut, “Body Shop,” that they drive until Vincent vocally takes the wheel aided by the response of female voices. It’s a fun tune and like most cuts on the album, encourages getting down.

Vincent displays his softer side on the soul groove of “Midnight Rendezvous,” that is made complete by the horn section. He steps up with a tasty guitar solo that, like the tune, speaks of the era.

Musically, “Seven Sisters” finds the guitarist on a wooden front porch playing Mississippi-style country blues. This one is a beauty that really highlights his dexterity on guitar.

Original Dap King fittingly rock ’n’ rolls out Ernie Vincent style—New Orleans style—on “Early Times.”