SOUND CHECK.

BONNIE RAITT: ``Souls Alike'' (Capitol) - Three stars

Despite Raitt's determined, skilled singing and the cool professionalism of her band, it's not until the fifth cut on ``Souls Alike'' that the album kicks in. Until then the songs don't have enough spice. Then, along comes Emory Joseph's ``Trinkets,'' an oddly affecting portrait of New Orleans with its lessons about learning what makes you happy, like that ``groovy old chick (who) teaches tai-chi on the levee.'' Add in Raitt's funky vocals and her Lowell George- inspired slide guitar, and your head begins boppin'. From then on, ``Souls Alike'' heats up, mixing in the gumbo-tinged ``Unnecessarily Mercenary'' with Jon Cleary's tasty piano, the sweet ``I Don't Want Anything to Change,'' the rhythmic sultriness of ``Deep Water,'' the sensuous rocker ``Two Lights in the Nighttime'' and the grace of ``The Bed I Made.'' Suddenly the four opening cuts, particularly the dreamy ``God Was in the Water,'' sound better. Even the opener, the defiant anthem ``I Will Not Be Broken'' grows on you. But the only flag Raitt waves is the soulfulness that has marked her career and this album, which comes out Tuesday.

- Rob Lowman

DEEP DISH: ``George Is On'' (Thrive) - Three stars

This Iranian-American dance-remix duo's genre-jumping formula results in some of the most imaginative dance-floor productions now going. Musical addiction sets in right off the bat here, from the rocky guitar riffs and raspy vocals that spark album-opener ``No Stopping for Nicotine'' to the dirty rhythm of ``Sexy Ill'' and the rock-influenced ``Dreams,'' which features newly recorded vocals by Stevie Nicks. Those cuts and the guitar-charged house track ``Flashdance'' are impressive songs just waiting to be remixed into killer club hits.

- Phillip Zonkel

THE PEASALL SISTERS: ``Home to You'' (Dualtone) - Three and one half stars

The three little girls who played George Clooney's daughters in ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' continue to be one of the most harmonious sister acts in traditional Americana music. Produced by John Carter Cash, their second album moves away from their strict gospel roots into an assortment of old-timey classics (``Fair and Tender Ladies,'' ``I Never Will Marry'') and a trio of accomplished, authentic-sounding compositions by eldest sister Sarah. Though she's reached whatcha call marryin' age, Sarah's trios with younger Hannah and Leah still have a pristine, girlish lilt to them. Which is lovely, though the siblings still sound more persuasive on the religious than the heartbreak tunes.

- Bob Strauss

JEREMY PELT: ``Identity'' (MaxJazz) - Three and one half stars

Pelt is among the most interesting young trumpeters in jazz. This new album of 10 originals, recorded with a core quartet augmented by the occasional guest, cements his standing. Felt has demonstrated versatility in the past, but it's really on display here, his lyrical trumpet soaring between acoustic and electric settings, attacking, soothing, engaging, entrancing. The Freddie Hubbard comparisons are apt, but Pelt is very much his own man, an inventive, distinct voice possessing a startling maturity beyond his years.

- Glenn Whipp

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (Bonnie Raitt)

(2 -- 5) no caption (CD covers)