How do you define a relentless groove? Is it the sludgy one chord churn of doom metal or the in-the-pocket funk of a two-chord vamp? To my ears, it’s the opening song from Calm Down Cologne, the latest release from Garage A Trois. That track, which was created live in the studio by the supergroup composed of drummer Stanton Moore, guitarist Charlie Hunter and saxophonist/keyboard wizard Skerik, sets the stage for the rest of the five-song album.

Moore is of course a legend in his hometown of New Orleans and over the course of his long career he has collaborated with a vast array of musicians in virtually every genre. Hunter is a San Francisco Bay-area native who has carved out an incredible career playing bass and guitar parts on his trademark Hybrid Big6 instrument. Skerik is simply one of the most fascinating musicians most listeners may have ever come across.

They first came together with their debut album in 1999 and have played as a trio and in various configurations ever since. After a four-year hiatus, the original group came together for a handful of live shows and recorded the album in one session. With all but a few edits on the beginnings and ends of performances, Calm Down Cologne presents the music as it was played in the studio that day.

The album was recorded on Skerik’s home turf in Seattle, and he seems the most energized on the recording. Wielding his horn relatively sparsely, he defines the sound with a variety of analog keyboards including a Modal 001 synth, Rhodes 54 and Mellotron. Of course, that’s not a diss on Moore and Hunter. They create a monstrous groove throughout, with Hunter dropping tasty lead lines into the mix amid Moore’s syncopated cymbal work.

Though not categorized strictly as jazz, the album expands the parameters of that genre as well as several others and gets better with every listen.