*** Debris

ERRATA

(Eighth Day Music)

Boston-area quintet Debris are masters of meaningful musical non sequiturs, purposeful whimsy, playful obscurity, and high-intensity improvisation. Their latest CD sandwiches short vignettes in which they obsess over arcane sonic minutiae between epic works of knotty grand designs. Saxophonists Steve Norton and Jeff Hutchins snarl and weep impressively during the collective improvisations on "Pretty Big Tub," then sound reasonable as chemists on "30 Years of Drinking Bourbon," a thoughtful duet of intuitive, contrapuntal give-and-take. Guitarist Arthur Weinstein's solos on "MintcrumbX" and "Drive-In Utopia" are like dances in an iron foundry -- quick, graceful lines bathed in molten colors and gritty textures. And his attention to detail adds brilliance to a quiet interlude on "For As Long As You Own Your Car." Bassist Bob Ross navigates the music's funky backbeats as easily as its odd time signatures and arrhythmic pulses (as one of the album's primary composers, he's responsible for many of said signatures and pulses), and he plays with an especially lyrical tone. Drummer Curt Newton has passionate drive and makes even the most errant change of direction sound both natural and rational.

-- Ed Hazell

(Debris will celebrate their 10th anniversary at Mobius this weekend, March 21 and 22, at 8 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call 542-7416.)