Even the funkiest funkateers take a breather now and then, and after so many releases slamming up the electric pace, it's fairly refreshing to find Alex Bugnon telling his Tales from the Bright Side with such admirable restraint.

Make no mistake, there is bounce in between those flashy keyboard runs, but it tends to enhance the melodic invention, rather than decimate or obliterate it.

This time out, Bugnon shifts many of the trappings behind his smoky improvisations, sneaking in a peeks of rock guitar, suave orchestration, horn trimmings and even bluesy keyboard touches.

One Bugnon trademark remains, however, and that's keeping the keys in the forefront.

His is a remarkable feat, then, helping us not forget who we're listening to while not overwhelming us with bravura and little songcraft to back it up.

While all of his previous discs have had moments of staid clarity, he finally makes the cool work in even a dancefloor setting.