Emphasis! (On Parenthesis)

iTunes Review

In 2006, Stanton Moore, Will Bernard, and Robert Walter joined forces for Moore’s sparkling third solo album, and a subsequent series of live dates forged them into something of a true working band — and one of the most convincing organ trios in recent memory. This time out, they add more variety and mystery as they traverse 11 collaborative originals. On “(Late Night at the) Maple Leaf,” based on a spontaneous R&B jam cooked up with esteemed funk bassist George Porter Jr. at the inimitable Big Easy venue, Walter switches between organ and piano, and Moore flashes nifty breakbeats before the tune settles into cool-strutting swing. “(Proper) Gander,” “(Who Ate the) Layer Cake?” and the bluesy, rumbling “(Put on Your) Big People Shoes” offer heavy-stomping, rock-infused funk that recalls Moore’s main project, Galactic, while “Wissions (of Vu),” with Walter on toy piano, finds inspiration in a Wu Tang Clan cut and sounds like a hardboiled ‘50s detective theme. “(Sifting Through the) African Diaspora,” with shifting tempos and fleet guitar work from Bernard, moves in a fusion direction, “(I Have) Super Strength” approaches ambient dub (Bernard adding eerie slide-guitar accents), and the supple, skittering “Thanks! (Again)” tends toward the soul-jazz grooves of their previous effort.