The Mind Club

Fangboy

Blasting off from a gigbag-governed launching pad comes the Mind Club, a local quintet that specializes in what used to get hyped as “acid jazz.” By definition, that isn’t your de rigueur call-waiting bizjazz noodlefest, nor is it empty-the-bar Brooklyn loft skronk. Instead, think late-’60s instrumental R&B combos (Nite Liters, Meters) shot through with a languid studio-tan sensibility à la Steely Dan and boxed by a crisp and upfront snare sound. This is mostly guitarist Greg Williams’ joint: On some cuts, his tone nicks Devadip-era Santana; on others, he plays lines in unison with keyboardist/saxist Scott Reams. The result is a glossy, sophisticated, sometimes interesting porn soundtrack; all that’s missing are naked bodies and the salad oil. (Note: The sampled young lady moaning orgasmically on “Gladiator Shoes” ain’t quite woody bait—she’s mixed too far back, and she could be raunchier.)