The beats reign supreme, but the questions remain. Is this some sort of modernist electronic jazz? Slice-and-dice funk? Esoteric electronic stuff? Something like that.

Dave Aju & the Invisible Art Trio Glossolalia (Broken Clover)

Dave Aju has not recorded with the Invisible Art Trio for a decade, but working with active collaborators has widened the palette of this set. Yes, the slinky beats set all grooves, but there are blips and splashes of sound from just about every corner. All in the service of creating bangers.

Because despite all the terrific pieces and ferment, the final product here is a set of seven songs that are totally prepared to rule any dance floor. And that's not because Aju adheres to any particular electronic style, but rather because he doesn't. Each song is a world unto itself. The only really connective tissue is the obvious attention to fun.

There are apparently political lyrics and ideas being expressed here. Perhaps I'm too obtuse to make them out. The vocals are largely inscrutable, though they serve admirably as a rhythmic counterpoint. There's a party going on; best join in.

Jon Worley