QB3: The Form of Space

QB3 is the name of the new group which serves up a hefty number of influences on The Form of Space. From original funk and deep house to ambient and odd metered excursions, they cover all the contemporary bases on these seven tunes. The band is comprised of guitarist Fred Geruntab, drummer Chris "Root" Heinz and acoustic bassist Emek Rave. This trio is joined by vet keyboardist/ producer Peter Fish (Carly Simon, Johnny Winter) on five cuts, and Audrey Brand, whose soulful vocals are added to "boom!".

To break down each cut, "Electric Monk" is a Medeski, Martin & Wood meets an early Benson in a groovy 7/4 pocket. "Knee Deep Devotion" leans more to Sco and Charlie Hunter with its over chorused, testifying blues lines. "Wake Up Call" gets a more relaxed vibe and straight-eighth feel, albeit in 11/4 and 12/4, which at times references Mahavishnu. Fish gets some great vintage keys textures on Fender Rhodes and Clav. Some great and tasteful guitar/keys interplay and development take place here. "Before Dawn," the only ballad is taken as a chord melody statement by guitar which is then backed by acoustic piano. Both instruments take thoughtful solos with a nice deceptive vamp tag on the outro. "boom!" again reminds of MMW and Scofield's Electic Outlet era as it layers in female vocals, trippy vocodered effects and tense harmony over an increasingly manic rhythm section. On the loose, space-laden treatment of "Every 26," Geruntab makes use of an 11 string fretless guitar in a very koto-like manner. It'll likely remind you of Metheny's recent use of the same instrument. The CD closes nicely with the title track, "The Form of Space."

It ain't your father's jazz, but then again you ain't your father. Cool grooves and textures abound. Bring it to your next rave, it'll stay in the changer awhile.

Website: www.cdbaby.com/qb3 .