When the World Was New

K—Gr 4—Dog on Fleas' founder Dean Jones has never sounded as fresh, funky, and fun as he does on his third solo recording, loosely centered on evolution and human nature. Guest singers Shamsi Ruhe, Eli McNamara, and Marianne Tasick complement his singing style beautifully. Arrangements are sharp and varied, keeping listeners wondering what will come next. He opens with "When the World Was New," a call/response song about things prehistoric man might have done. Highlights of the album include "Human Bean" (a Caribbean-infused number filled with contemplations of life), "Stand with Me" (a soul-filled tune about not being a bystander when facing adversity or oppression), "Outshining Nomads" (a techno-pop number built on a familiar pirate ditty), "Join a Rock 'n' Roll Band" (a laid-back solution for all the things you can't do), and "Peace in the Valley" (a cool retro-sounding prediction of a time of peace in the world). Jones is brilliant in keeping lyrics challenging and appealing to all ages, making this appropriate family listening. Another winner produced, played, and recorded by this Grammy Award recipient.—Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH