Earl Thomas, Blue Not Blue (Bizarre Straight Records)

Showin’ versatile style with a strong affliction of soul, this is a major surprise coming from a brand new R&B star in the making. Thomas has a natural feeling for his original material, resulting in an exciting, moving CD. It will touch your heart and the boogie in your soul. Stop and get this one. It’s different and will make your party jump and your body do the double bump. So bop, shag, slide, swing and groove. This music makes you want to shake that thang. He puts the good ole soul and gets into the roots with flair and grits. Very impressive for a first outing, although some tunes have a lackluster quality. Most of the CD gets up and grabs you. Top cuts: “The Way She Shakes That Thing,” with an Amos Milburn-quality jump blues, great for dancing and partying to; “I Ain’t Ready”; “Baby, Please Don’t Cry.”