Band: Planet Groove

Who they are: Ajay Coletta, drums and percussion; Larry "Les" Barron, vocals and percussion; John Medeiros, guitar and vocals; Leith MacArthur, bass; Aaron Wade, keyboards and vocals.

What they play: Planet Groove considers itself a Latin-jazz fusion band. In live shows, the band plays covers ranging from Santana to Miles Davis and War, as well as originals. The band handles Latin jazz with a subtle technique and skillful playing.

Songs on the band's new disc, Excessive Sonic Boom, are highly listenable because the band displays a smart restraint, yet doesn't sacrifice intensity in its search for palatable grooves. Wade's keyboard playing on Coronado reminds a listener of the precision Danilo Perez strives to employ on his soaring new disc, Motherland. Wade serves as a timekeeper for Medeiros and MacArthur's groove-based playing. Sneaky takes a different approach: The song opens with a vocal line in Spanish, then spirals into a tight knit of sonic improvisation between percussionists Coletta and Barron.

History: The Rhode Island band hooked up about five years ago.

Recording: In addition to Excessive Sonic Boom, the band released two CDs, and a self-titled debut in 1998. New album "Joy Ride" due August 2001

Where to hear them: Show listing online at www.PlanetGroove.net