Guitarist Will Bernard has performed many different styles of music over his career, from the French cafe music stylings of Django Rheinardt to the high-powered funk of James Brown (in the quartet T.J. Kirk) to the modern big band sounds of Peter Apfelbaum's New York Hieroglyphics.  Bernard's new CD, his first for Palmetto Records, is called "Party Hats" and, to these ears, often sounds like a tribute to the rhythm 'n' blues music that emanates...well, oozes out of New Orleans. The crisp yet laidback drumming of Paul Spina and the popping percussion of Josh Jones  and the bottom-heavy electric bass work of Keith MacArthur and Ryan Newman is nice and smooth, no harsh edges, and Bernard creates 11 melodies that allow for plenty of fine guitar workouts.  The disk's opening track, "Share The Sea" percolates along like a tune from The Meters, one of the great New Orleans bands (and rhythm section) from the 70s.  Bernard's solo skips atop the snapping snare, with short rippling riffs and bluesy interjections.  Adam Theis' trombone solo starts off with a buzz like the sound of an Australian didjerido.  The horn melody is so darned funky it's an effort not to tap your feet or pound the desktop. "Afro Sheen" reminds this listener of an early Santana groove, Bernard's chunky rhythm lines bouncing atop Michael Bluestein's burbling organ riffs. Nice slide work on "Newbie", a  cut that jumps from a new jazz feel to a sweet funky organ solo. Yet, it's that Crescent City soul feel of "Chin Up", the swampy rhythms of "Folding Green" , and the jazzy sway of "Battle Trap" that  keep me coming back.  Will Bernard tries on many hats for his party and they all look mighty fine.  For more information, go to www.palmetto-records.net. - Richard Kamins