The Dynatones, Chopped and Channeled (RNA Records)

For a debut disc on Rhino’s RNA, these Bay Area rock ‘n’ soul jivemeisters don’t waste any time turning on the heat. From the opening growling guitars on “When I Think About Love,” you know the ‘Tones are here to rock. They rip up “Tear the House Down,” C.C. Miller proving again he’s a soul shouter el supreme. They play it hard and fast with Willy DeVille’s classic “Soul Twist.” On C.C.’s song “Hard Way to Go,” the band sounds like a tight southern soul band. The Pickett-Cropper chestnut “Danger Zone” is taken at a mid-tempo gallop and features a soulful vocal from Mr. Miller. “She’s Got That Stuff” percolates into a funky thang fueled by Bay Area axe killer Johnny Nitro. This disc kicks. As a minor quibble, more original tunes and fewer covers would have been nice, but…these guys definitely mean business.