Image what the Weather Channel would sound like if your TV was on ecstasy. That pretty much summarizes Lotus‘ style: smooth jazzy guitar work, funky bass lines and copious hand percussion infused with trance beats and sampling.

Lotus is always a fun show, and last night was no exception. The crowd was lively, having little trouble finding room to dance in spite of constrictive auditorium seating and narrow isles. Over-zealous ushers with little flash-lights and big egos tried in vain to confine fans to their assigned seats.

This Philly-based quintet can definitely jam. They worked through down-and-dirty dance sections, raging crescendos and funky break-downs with a skill and poise deserving of their recent national acclaim. And you’ve got to respect any band that can play through an hour-and-a-half set without having to pause to take a breath.

It could be that I’m just a sucker for hand-percussion, but I think Lotus’s dual-drummer approach created a densely layered rhythm section and lent a unique edge to their sound. Everyone loves a cow-bell. And what’s cooler than a cow-bell? Why more cowbell of course. Or try three cowbells being played in unison by two drummers with all sorts of tambourines, bongos and the like thrown into the mix. Then you get something really cool.

Lotus has come a long way since the last time they played in State College two years ago. Back then their sound was far more organic, resembling something much closer to straight jazz-fusion. Nowadays, the jazz influence still rings through but is often down-played or drowned out in favor of a style closer to the techno persuasion.

The new sound they’ve evolved seems generic; they’re just like the many other trance-fusion acts out there. It’s as though they’ve tailored themselves to fit a niche. The heavy jazz/funk element is what made them unique and I’m a little sad to see it go.

Even still, Lotus is a solid group and they’re certainly worth checking out.

Lotus – Tip of the Tongue