Maceo Parker

One of the last things you expect out of Maceo Parker is a new wrinkle, and that’s OK: As the saxophonist for the Godfather of Soul, he’s the man who blew the horn that popped the sweat out of James Brown’s pores. He went on to play with two of Brown’s most renowned heirs to the funk tradition, Parliament/Funkadelic and Prince. New tricks aren’t normally a priority for an old-timer who still slathers the fatback this well—even after turning sixty-five on Valentine’s Day. But then Parker starts to croon on his new disc, Roots and Grooves, and he turns out to be the best Ray Charles doppelganger since Brother Ray shed this mortal coil four years ago. The ballad “Georgia,” the sprightly “Hit The Road Jack,” and the funk workout “What’d I Say” are all daringly faithful tributes that don’t embarrass Parker vocally. But if you’re worried he’ll abandon that big tenor sax sound, a 17:48 version of “Pass The Peas” on Roots and Grooves will lay it to rest. Expect to hear both the voice and the horn at the Dakota.

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 612-332-1010.