JAZZ ALBUM REVIEWS : Electrified Be-Bop From Paul Motian : ** 1/2; PAUL MOTIAN; “Paul Motian and the Electric Bebop Band”; <i> JMT</i>

Drummer Motian’s be-bop with a buzz is a far-cry from the crisp, pointed attack that defined the bop movement, as a dueling pair of electric guitars makes for fuzzy readings of tunes from Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Saxophonist Joshua Redman’s playing is strong, though more inspired by the jazz funk period of the ‘60s than the bop heyday. Still, the album shows how well the genre’s classic compositions lend themselves to more esoteric renditions. And, as always, the leader’s quirky percussive style makes for thought-provoking, often humorous listening.

***; HANK ROBERTS; “Little Motor People”; JMT

Cellist Roberts, offering an edgy, electric sound and a playful way with a melody, brings new-music touches to such standards as “My Favorite Things” and “Donna Lee.” When the trio coos its way through a twisted version of “Over the Rainbow,” you can almost feel Dorothy being lifted out of Kansas. But the highlight here is Roberts’ five-part suite “Saturday/Sunday” with its acoustic sensibilities and smart interplay between Roberts, pianist Django Bates and percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan. Moving easily between jazz rhythms, tribal beats and classically influenced passages, the piece marks Roberts as a composer willing to overlook the usual boundaries between jazz and progressive music.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good, recommended), four stars (excellent).