No one expects southern soul from Iowa City, Iowa, but the Diplomats of Solid Sound follow in the footsteps of the Dap-Kings as they credibly recreate a classic sound. Like the Dap-Kings and Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators, their sound is a bit unstuck in time and geography, drifting between New Orleans, Memphis, James Brownsville and the other capitals on the ’60s soul map. Fortunately, they do it well, largely because of the band’s restraint and the deep grooves of drummer Jim Viner. Since none of the Diplomettes have the authority of Sharon Jones, The Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes doesn’t quite escape the gravity of the Planet Retro, but it’s a lot of fun, and the sexy “Hurt Me So” gets beyond the secondhand finery and stands on its own.