Led by the Austrian-born multi-keyboardist Walter Fischbacher, Phishbacher - the group - slips between the worlds of funky fusion, straight ahead jazz, and R&B flavored jam-band rock with surprising grace and ease while maintaining a freshness and vitality that makes "Prove That!" an enjoyable listening experience. Though the music on "Prove That!" is quite polished, Fischbacher and his bandmates avoid facile 'smooth jazz' slickness. Unlike, say, Medeski, Martin, and Wood, or Hiromi Uehara, Phishbacher seem to less interested in flamboyant pyrotechnical displays, or genre-busting improvisational adventures. Instead, "Prove That!" is dominated by moderate tempo original compositions that owe as much to groovy straight-ahead jazz (think early- to mid-60s Blue Note and Prestige) as they do the mellow jazz-funk of the Crusaders or Herbie Hancock's 'Headhunters' band.

The first track, 'Decisions' is a tasty jazz-funk groover that serves as a showcase for Fischbacher's multitude of keyboard sounds. That said, Fischbacher's favorite keyboard for soloing is clearly the acoustic piano - upon which acquits himself quite nicely as a soloist throughout this CD. 'Loopish' reaches back to the Lee Morgan's 'Sidewinder' for a bit of inspiration, and appropriately features German trumpeter Thomas Siffling as the primary soloist. Like Fischbacher, Siffling is one of those young European players with incredible chops who swings hard, and is happy to get down and dirty if that's what the moment demands. 'Cats' alternates an oblique, darting Rhodes piano figure, with a mellow, lyrical trumpet melody that leads into a funky acoustic jam that has Siffling and Fischbacher trading 16-bar solos over an atmospheric chord progression. The title track is the most Headhunters-inspired item on the menu, featuring Joel Rosenblatt's super-funky drumming, some quirky electric wah-wah trumpet, and an impressive and inspired acoustic piano solo from the leader. The tune ends with a little coda that quotes Hancock's own 'Maiden Voyage.' The CD-closing 'Rabbitz in Space' toys with a heavily electronic drum'n'bass sort of texture, while providing a funky launching platform for engaging solos by Fischbacher on electronic keys and Siffling on electric trumpet.

Though the music on "Prove That!" stays pretty firmly in the jazz fusion mode, there are some interesting tangents. 'Mellow Moon Moaning,' is the first departure from Phishbacher's Headhunters-derived funky jazz modus operandi; a ballad-like melody that hangs over an almost classical-sounding piano figure. I enjoyed the contrast between the delicate string arrangement and the totally in-the-pocket rhythm on this piece. Vocalist Elisabeth Lohninger is featured on 'Will You Still Be Mine,' which comes across as a sort of mellow rock tune with jazzy tendencies, a bit like something Norah Jones might take a stab at. The band's funky re-invention of the Beatles' 'I Want You' is a real high point of the whole CD - they turn it into an energetic jazz-funk piece while never losing sight of the tune's original melodic content. They attempt a totally different approach on 'Straight No Chaser,' slowing it down to a funky crawl. Rosenblatt and Siffling both contribute crisp, sparkling solos here.

"Prove That!" is a pleasant jazz-fusion CD that amply displays the group's adeptness at handling a wide range of jazz and fusion styles. While there were only a few moments here that made me really sit up and take notice, Phishbacher has a fresh sound that I found engaging and interesting.