New York's Assembly of Dust proved itself a shining example (yet again) on its most recent visit to Boston on Friday night, playing the first of three nearly sold-out New Year's gigs at Paradise.

Frontman Reid Genauer's tightly enunciated vocals provided a foundation of earthbound wisdom. When mixed with the Motown-funky tones of John Leccese's bass, Nate Wilson’s organ and Andy Herrick's drumming, Fridays two-set marathon found AOD in top form. Kicking off with Valhalla, they sailed through a hodgepodge of old favorites, Love Junkie, Paul Henry, Burned Down mixed with an oddball trove of covers: the Zeppelin B-side, Hey, Hey What Can I Do?, Van Morrison's Caravan and James Brown I Feel Good. Acoustic soul troubadour Martin Sexton joined them for the stroll down memory lane, providing his own Black Sheep as a launching pad for Deadric Malone and Joseph Scott, Turn on Your Love Light made famous by the Grateful Dead. Lead guitarist Adam Terrell's improvisational playing was fluid and spot-on.

Peter Prince's Moon Boot Lover project had early birds cutting the rug in style with its irresistible rock and soul showdown. The bottom-end-heavy thump provided hip-hijacking grooves, leaving Prince to dance his fuzz guitar and white-soul bark over the top with uncommonly good results.