Submitted photoSoul Vaccination

“Soul Vaccination” is an old Tower of Power song, and it’s a good one.

But Soul Vaccination — no quotes; this is serious journalism, folks — is also a killer Portland-based funk, soul and R&B group with a DNA that can be traced directly back to the band behind the song with the same name, plus other highly danceable ‘60s/’70s legends like Earth, Wind & Fire or Stevie Wonder.

Indeed, this is no cheap Northwest rip-off of the good stuff. This is real-deal funky soul, with snakey bass lines, skittering rhythms, sunny horns and smoldering vocals. And Soul Vaccination’s debt to Tower of Power doesn’t end at its name. ToP guitarist Bruce Conte played on Soul Vax’s “What is Hip?” record, and Chester Thompson, keyboardist for ToP and Santana, guested on the band’s recent live album, which features songs by Curtis Mayfield, Prince and Bruno Mars, among others.

Thompson is a legend, and one of the greatest players of the Hammond B-3 organ to ever walk the earth. This weekend, he’ll walk into Bend’s Oxford Hotel and play with his buddies in Soul Vaccination. Be there to witness it, if you have a ticket; all three shows are already sold out.

Soul Vaccination, with Chester Thompson; 8 tonight, 5 and 8:15 p.m. Saturday; SOLD OUT; The Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend; www.jazzattheoxford.com or 541-382-8436.

— Ben Salmon