Playing sax and flute, Jason Arkins puts together a soulful jazz album with Beau Cornelius/p-key, Leo Folsom/synth, Mike Ramos/b and Jack Dratch/dr that gives hints of plugged in Chick Corea and Joe Sample. There’s some splashy synth work by Folsom that Arkins rides over on his alto on the hip hopping “Mister Behaving” with the team getting fusion on the upbeat “The Higher Ground”, propelled by Dratch’s driving sticks. Ramos keeps a solid pulse on the soulful “Cut Scene” as Arkins explores Coltrane land, and Cornelius gets some solo room on the Crusaders-ish “In Focus”. The team mixes funk as on “A Squeegee Situation” with danceable grooves, making a nice mix of joy and drive. Arkins hits the ground running.