Washington DC-based experimental jazz-punk trio The Messthetics (drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally of cult band Fugazi, with visionary guitarist Anthony Pirog) join forces with acclaimed jazz tenor saxophonist, composer and bandleader James Brandon Lewis for a special collaboration on Impulse! Records. Together they expand the reach of crucial instrumental music through their intersections of jazz, punk, funk, aggression and innovation. Although the configuration heard on "The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis" is relatively new, it builds on long-standing musical relationships. Lewis and Pirog met about ten years ago at a session led by free jazz drummer William Hooker and hit it off straight away, after which they worked together intensively in Lewis' own groups. "From the first day I met Anthony, he and I just clicked," says Lewis, who is now regarded as one of the most compelling bandleaders on the contemporary jazz scene. "After the William Hooker session, we looked at each other and said, 'Damn, this is awesome'. Lally and Canty, of course, share a similar brotherhood that has its roots in the 15 years they toured the world as the lithe yet rock-solid rhythm section of the legendary Washington, D.C.-based Fugazi. "I play differently with Joe than I do with anyone else," says Canty. "He creates this foundation that I call a very stable jungle gym for all of us to play on. He keeps it dubby and rhythmic, and there are a lot of moments where we have a sixth sense - there are things that happen between us when we play that there's no explanation for, other than the fact that we've been playing together for 30 years. Lewis compares the experience of playing with Lally and Canty to his work with various jazz masters. "I adore them in the same way I adore having played with Jamaaladeen Tacuma or with William Parker," he says, citing a pair of esteemed veteran bassists. "It's a certain experience on the road that you can't get in school. He also appreciates that he can hear the rich musical heritage of their hometown in their sound. "Growing up in the D.C. area, Brendan and Joe are familiar with go-go, with everything that comes from that area," he says. "So I can say that the sense of time doesn't get any better than that. It's like a well-oiled machine is playing with them.