North New Jersey`s The Hammers smolder and smoke. Their brand of R&B influenced rock draws from the origins. Nods to Big Joe Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Sun R&B provide the backbone. The band`s seasoned vets make their originals sound like they were birthed 50 years ago. The music has style, but doesn`t sound stylized. This is a confident band of exceptional musicians that show their love of the roots of rock and roll, adding to the canon, not just aping it. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)