Bay area guitarist Charlie Hunter is well acquainted with New Orleans and its abundant crop of musical talent. He has been a staple at local nightclubs during the Jazz Fest season and his past collaborations have included many Crescent City musicians, most notably drummer Stanton Moore with whom Hunter has performed and recorded with widely. It’s no surprise that Hunter once again dipped into the wellspring of local talent for his new album Mistico, which features Hunter playing 7-string guitar (a change from his usual 8-string axe) alongside keyboardist Eric Deutsch and Louisiana drummer Simon Lott.

Lott, who has been impressing New Orleans audiences since moving here from his native Baton Rouge four years ago, is a strong presence on Mistico. His raw, energetic playing gives the trio a straightforward, hard-rocking edge that sets this group apart from previous ensembles that have borne Hunter’s name. He also brings a touch of second line to the album, most notably the tracks “Wizard Sleeve” and “Chimp Gut.” To further establish the sound of his new trio, Hunter abandoned the bubbly, jam-friendly guitar tone that defines his numerous Blue Note recordings. Instead,he employs a crunchier sound which often blends seamlessly with the varied tones from Deutsch’s electric keyboard.

Mistico is, at its base, an instrumental pop album made interesting by creative, forward-thinking musicianship and a healthy dose of psychedelic nuance. The three musicians succeed in playing as one on the new album, focusing less on flashy solos and more on creating a series of changing moods and textures, all with an infectious underlying pulse.