Rudder : Rudder

A rockin’ good time is to be had in this adrenaline-soaked debut, as chunky electric jazz jams crash against the speaker-shaking wall of sound erected by drummer Keith Carlock. Keyboardist Henry Hey directs much of the group’s attack, tossing lumpy synth globs into the heavy groove of “Juray,” adding a new-wave sheen to “Squarefoot” or channeling George Clinton’s funky mothership in “Floater.” As saxophonist Chris Cheek calmly surfs above the roiling waves, Tim Lefebvre adds bass-line propulsion from the rear.

Originally Published November 1, 2007