Frequently identified as an acid-jazz ensemble, the Chicago-rooted collective known as Liquid Soul might be more accurately viewed as a pure funk band. They"re energized by a wonderfully wayward, freewheeling spirit again on Here"s the Deal, the group"s third release. Deal follows 1998"s Make Some Noise and their eponymous 1996 debut with another swinging assortment of house-party grooves anchored by Liquid Soul"s horn-based frontline--including saxophonist Mars Williams (whose far-flung associations run from Anthony Braxton to Ministry to the Sun Ra Project, which Williams leads with Ken Vandermark), trumpeter Ron Haynes, and trombonist John Janowiak. The 12 selections on Deal (five recorded live) range from funk-heavy rap ("Sure Fire One," "Show Me") to nearly conventional R&B with jazzed-up, Liquid Soul twists ("Sex Tablet," "Rocket Scientist") to a flavorful, Latin-tinged ode to Dizzy Gillespie ("The Diz"). Simone, daughter of Nina Simone, sets two tracks aglow with soulful vocals ("Stop by Monie"s," "Dysfunction"). Yet the recording"s most involving tracks (along with drummer Dan Leali"s Jeff Beck-flavored "Everybody"s Got One") are the melded "Sweet Pea" and "Donkey Punch," a reeling, freestyle exercise that cross-pollinates bop, hip-hop, rock and an Asian netherworld before flinging you into a swirl of horn-driven industrial fusion. Definitely worth a listen. --Terry Wood