Brad Randell and the Zydeco Ballers, Brad Randell and the Zydeco Ballers (J&S Records)

A while back Brad Randell was known as “Keith Frank Jr.” for obvious reasons. Like his idol, he was a hot hand on the trail ride circuit and at the time, performed a fair bit from Frank’s song bag. But contrary to peer predictions that Randell wouldn’t even be a passing fad, they’re all dancing to his beat now. The opening song “Kee-mo-sa-bay” alludes to that chapter as Randell and band confidently establish their ballin’ identity that translates loosely as a good-time Charlie loaded with bread and a carefree attitude. Yet, there’s no carefree ballin’ here at all. Throughout this all-original affair, these guys not only push the beat, they practically assault it into a pulpy submission. With each passing track, the temperature rises another ten degrees to the point you don’t want to guess where you’re at. Snappy dance songs follow more snappy dance songs, spiraling the groove closer to infinity. Or at least until the heavy zyde-funk finale “Better Way/Back That Thang Up” that is an adequate showcase of their versatility. As evidenced here, Randell proves his disbelievers wrong again. But with this groove, those memories are all too short.