When Step Rideau stepped out in Houston’s zydeco kingdom in the ’90s, he did so in a big way. Capacity crowds wrapped around the block just waiting to squeeze into such dance emporiums as Talk of the Town, Sugar’s Hideaway and Club Legacy. Since then, many an upstart has come and dropped off the map while the Labeau, LA native continues to reign as one of H-Town’s zydeco monarchs. Similar to 2003’s Step 2 U, Rideau’s latest isn’t really “nouveau zydeco,” as he is often labeled, if you consider the new breed zyde-rappers pushing the envelope yet again. But unlike many of his younger contemporaries, Rideau frequently changes grooves and switches accordions to alter the sound and feel of his material. Meanwhile, the Zydeco Outlaws toss in slinky bass lines (“We Gonna Party”), blistering guitar attacks (“Gotta Get Up”) and even feathery, nimble-fingered, jazzy guitar riffs (“Dry Bayou Drive”). On “Gotta Get Up” and “Step’s Stomp Down,” they practically blow the roof off with crowd-pleasing chants, pounding, tribal beatings and fierce hand clapping, not to mention sheer brute force. There are also traditional moments, too, as he performs John Delafose’s slow, soul-stirring “Loan Me Your Handkerchief,” Rockin’ Sidney’s mega-bouncy “My Zydeco Shoes” and an original old school waltz, “Are You Gone.” Steppin’ with Step has never been easier.