Whether as the drummer of the Spin Doctors, as a sideman (a function he’s served for dozens of diverse artists) or leading his own bands, Aaron Comess is an ever-reliable rhythm machine—in the pocket and relentlessly creative. And, as a composer, he draws on his all-inclusive musical instincts, putting his ingenuity and skills to effective use. It all comes together particularly well on this live set with his new setup, featuring guitarist Teddy Kumpel and bassist Richard Hammond. On the surface, they’re an archetypal power trio—hard, tough and persistent—but dig down a bit and the nuances quickly make their presence known. Comess and company owe much of their sensibility to classic jazz fusion as well—their all-instrumental excursions are intricate but never meander. There’s always a direction, peaks and valleys, and nothing is wasted. “Past Present Future” is a gem: Kumpel’s licks are muscular but fl uid; the rhythm section craftily keeps the guitarist rooted within the song’s prescribed structure but don’t hold back, a level of adroitness most jambands only dream about. On other tracks, they may slow things down (“Beautiful Mistake,” “Kumpalicious”) or go all-in on the heavy (“Gorilla,” “Dirt”) but never do they bog down in their own virtuosity; for all of their prowess, Comess, Kumpel and Hammond always keep their eye on the prize, their musicality.