The Jeff Lofton Electric Thang

Channeling the spirit of early electric Miles Davis, in particular the 1969-70 era that produced massively influential LPs In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew, Jeff Lofton's recording from the Cactus Cafe features the local trumpeter and his plugged-in quintet stretching out on convincing interpretations of showcases from both Davis albums. Like the originals, everything here unfolds in a very fluid, organic way, building a sturdy foundation and expanding outward. Guitarist Darin Layne does lots of the heavy lifting with an assorted array of sonic barrages, while Austin Kimble colors the landscape on electric keyboards. Lofton's original compositions, "By Any Other Name" and "Boo's Bounce," recall in their own ways the Caribbean lilt of Sonny Rollins. "Dizzy Pose So Moody" is a Latin boogaloo tip of the hat to the Gillespie/Moody/Pozo band. Would Miles smile? Almost.