It’s clear why San Francisco-based Mo’Fone has thus far in its nascent musical journey gained critical acclaim from jazz publications and popular applause from the groovy set after listening to the saxes-and-drum trio’s third album, ‘Fonology, where attributes appealing to both thinkers and dancers are on fine display.

A contemplative, smooth-jazz vibe informs the opening two tracks before the third number, “Sidewinder,” unleashes a deep, dark and delicious groove thanks in large part to Jim Peterson’s baritone sax.

A distinctly New Orleans street-party sound surfaces on “No Nugget,” thanks to the contributions of local sousaphone titan Kirk Joseph, a frequent collaborator with Mo’Fone who is joined on this album by fellow guests in Bay Area blowers Marty Wehner (trombone), Stephen Kent (didgeridoo and percussion), and Danny Bittker (tenor sax).

“Wind Pipe” displays the stellar inter-sax play of Peterson’s baritone and Larry de la Cruz’s alto, an embodiment of the sleek West Coast polish of jazz sophistication that permeates the album (also check “Ninety Six”), which proves musically and emotionally nimble enough to offer the reverent dirge of “Regret,” with Jeremy Steinkoler’s simple, elegant drums echoing some sort of dark, yet deliberate, march past Papa Legba and into the Other Side.

With 11 tracks in total clocking in two minutes shy of an hour, jazz and groove fans alike will find ‘Fonology a pleasant, toe-tapping good time.