The advantage to having a Hammond in your jazz band is that you can concentrate the sound. The organ can replace a bass as well as at least one other melodic instrument. But instead of limiting things, in the best hands this opens up new worlds. Ross Stanley has long been renowned for his work on the keys, and he's joined by Gilad Atzmon (who has worked with the Blockheads and Pink Floyd, among many others) on alto and Joel Barford on drums as they blast their way through a number of standards and originals.

Organology Organology (Aesthetiko/Weatherbox)

And, no, I didn't recognize anything, even at the first statement. Organology likes to begin with deconstruction, and it doesn't always pick up all the bricks. These are lengthy, speculative expeditions into the deep reaches of jazz space. Barford keeps everyone on the same plane, but the horizon is limitless.

Most of the time I had no idea where I was or where the ship was headed. But the cushion was comfy, and I knew that the captains were in charge. I let them drive, and my mind followed in an increasingly melty state.

This is not psychedelic jazz, though it is a trip. This trio has verve, energy and a striking vein of creativity that hardly seems tapped with this outing. Full of tradition (even when not adhering to such), this has a classic sound and feel without being anything of the sort. And yet none of it is confounding. Quite a wonderful ball of contradictions that sets the soul flying. The tingles set in quickly and don't leave even after the last note.

Jon Worley