It’s getting to be a familiar story. If you want a zydeco CD that sounds slamming good, just head on over to the Candy Man, a.k.a. Chris Ardoin. In recent years, T-Broussard and Willis Prudhomme have done just that. Now add Jo Jo Reed to the list of satisfied customers. Though Reed’s been in the game for more than 20 years and could certainly produce his own CD, Ardoin’s production efforts provided a more marketable, modern zydeco sound: sharp drums, fat bass lines and futuristic, electronic effects. Ardoin’s assistance proved invaluable, especially on the progressive “Tropical,” which has been successful in reaching the coveted younger demographic. Yet, even with Ardoin’s herculean contributions, Reed’s ideas and jovial personality still shine through. He sings about being from the country “raised on rice and gravy,” orders his peers to step aside as he bounces back (“My Time To Shine”) and blues it up on the universally relatable “I’m a Po Po Man.” Additionally, there’s a good deal of free-style lyricism here where little was preconceived, but rather improvised in the studio. And as he testifies on the rollicking “Bring ’em That HHZ” with good natured pokes at Ardoin, J. Paul and Keith Frank, he can still make a Boozoo apron look cool, too.