Canal Smarts

SF-based psychedelic ensemble 3 Leafs can conjure up some far-out, epic extraterrestrial jams, taking listeners on a transdimensional sonic journey from which they may never return. Proggy jazz-fusion grooves worm their way deep into your reptilian brain, while the cortical regions are numbed by hazy kaleidoscopic layers of synth and guitar steeped in arcane krautrock influences. For the transcendentally inclined; fans of Sun Araw, Can, Eternal Tapestry, Daughters of the Sun, Subarachnoid Space will not want to miss out. They’re getting to be quite prolific, and you really can’t go wrong with any release, but their studio material is generally more interesting than live recordings; Aquarius Records and I both suspect that this might be their best so far.

1. (19:18) From beneath the creepy, abstract, frenetic clutter of synth explorations that open the track, a solid pulse gradually emerges and drives the track along through a dense, futuristic psych-rock jam. Drifts off into a kaleidoscopic, ethereal denouement.
2. (12:53) Thick, trippy groove carries the track. Virtuoso drumming with tight syncopation, echoing guitar ostinato over oozing synth dissonance.
3. (4:30) Relatively brief, summery drifting song, like strains of early Pink Floyd recollected in a hazy dream. Cycling bassline over some dreamy washes of reverbed guitar and chirping keyboards.