Alex Lakusta: Transmit Slow

Canadian bassist Alex Lakusta goes into a funk mode on Transmit Slow. His group, E3 by Alex Lakusta, exudes a fun vibe on the first tune, "Trick Shot," the opening salvo on a set of seven of the leader's modernistic originals. Joined by fellow Canadians Josh Smiley on keyboards and synths and drummer Keagan Eskritt, along with Brad Eaton playing trumpet and effects on a pair of tunes, the group crafts a twenty-first century electro-ambience, with Smiley's keyboard work moving into an orchestral, Jon Hassell-like ambient approach on "All Static/Frequency Lost."

A good deal of the overall mood of the disc is fun and funky, the way pianist Herbie Hancock's early 1970s albums with the Headhunters were fun, catchy, danceable, pop-influenced and barrier-bending, while "Limited Imitations" moves to an organ trio vibe, and "Battery Brain," with Brad Eaton, sounding as if it takes its influence from trumpeter Tom Harrell, with a driving beat and electro-trumpet washes.

"Flicker," with, again, Brad Eaton sitting in, has a Twilight Zone spookiness that sounds as if it is coming in on the airwaves via a jittery short circuit.

The title tune closes the disc. It sounds almost pastoral—in contrast to the sometimes industrial grooves heard earlier, serving as a soothing refreshment to close out this fine debut.

And the E3 of the E3 by Alex Lakusta?. Who knows? The leader is originally from Alberta, Canada; from Edmonton. Maybe both of his trio mates also hail from that city. Could it be the Edmonton 3?

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