Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, loves to get down and funky. Throughout the years, the metropolis has been the hub of some of the best soul music ever recorded.

Recently, the emergence of Philly’s G. Love and Special Sauce, The Roots and even Boyz II Men have overshadowed what may be the town’s most impressive group.

"They" are The Delta 72, and they’re about to land in Athens.

The quartet, formed in Washington D.C., but natives of Philly, has featured multiple lineups over the years and let its music grow up, all without getting any less funky.

Everything written about the group harbors comparisons to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, although Delta 72 expands more on the blues, bringing in elements of funk and punk rock.

The end result is music that sounds like danceable punk rock, the strange spawn of James Brown and the Clash.

"We like to call it ‘punk-soul music,’ " said Gregg Foreman, guitar player. "It’s definitely rock, but it’s not blazing-guitar-solo music, or cock-rock, you know? We have such a love and affinity for soul music, and by the time the soul runs through you, it turns into something else.

"If Pete Townshend hadn’t been listening to Booker T & the MGs, there’d be no early Who. And if there was no early Who, there’d be no MC5," Foreman said.

The mostly instrumental Delta 72 sound has a danceable groove to it that has provided for a hot show, as the group has created a cult following on the underground scene, thanks to years of touring since forming in 1995.

"000" is the group’s third album, and three years removed from their last, "The Soul of A New Machine." "000" was recorded at Philadelphia’s famous Tongue and Groove Studio.

The Rapture and The Causey Way are opening for Delta 72. The Rapture, a rawkus rock quartet from New York, will be playing material from their latest album, "Mirror."