Austin Strat cat Glenn Rexach eschews rock and blues flamboyance for jazz virtuosity on third album PanaRican. The Austin School of Music instructor and accompanists Aaron Hatmaker (bass) and Kevin Scott (drums) hit right out of the gate with “Flex Time,” a bluesy funk bopper that wouldn’t sound out of place on an early John Scofield LP. Favoring clean tones and a subtle R&B feel, the band soars through “Soul Stretch,” and fuzz colors molten soloing on the friendly fusion of “Angst Freedom Rider.” Rexach also turns 250-year-old hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” into a lush jazz ballad. The epic “Barbacoa Reverie” starts out bossa nova before ramping up to a polyrhythmic display of dazzling group interplay. Despite his impressive skill, Rexach rarely descends into self-indulgence, utilizing his technique without being excessive. Taste gives PanaRican an accessible lift most fusioneers never accomplish.

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This article appears in April 8 • 2016.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.