Near Earth Objects (self-released)
Funk is the
new swing. While a number of bands have tramped in the acid jazz wake
of Medeski, Martin and Wood’s sleek, bottom-heavy, danceable
improvisation, the new EP from local band Near Earth Objects manages to
find its own, parallel path. Part of the reason is flexibility: The
opening, “Pajobie,” shifts gears frequently, from a Weather Report-like
vamp through an off-balance melody, a glimpse of something else, the
lead again, a melodic bass solo — nothing stays in focus long enough to
wear out its welcome yet somehow it all hangs together. “Bartender’s
Lament” has a similar quick-cut structure, full of unison shifts and a
keyboard section recalling ’70s wah-wah soul guitar. “When It Pours”
slows things down, draping the bluesy melody across a big beat.  “Next
Time I’ll Try” features a gospel crawl with a Hammond B-3 organ’s
haunted-church vibe. It all comes to a hard stop with “Modern Love,”
essentially a long, cleverly constructed crescendo. There are only five
songs here, available on iTunes, but the trio throws in enough
invention to carry multiple listenings. The MMW strategy of expanding
to include a guest soloist or two isn’t a bad idea for a full-length
CD.   — Peter McElhinney