***”Perfect Partners.” Luther Hughes and Cahoots. ITI Records

Hughes readily acknowledges his debt to the pioneering blues-funk outfit the Crusaders, and that influence is as apparent here as it was on his first recording. The bassist shows himself to be a studied composer of electric jazz, be it on relaxed grooves such as “Kickin’ Back” and the samba-paced “In a Round About Way” or in up-tempo, funk-driven numbers like the title tune. The minor-key mood and Spanish-influenced snare rhythms of “El Matador” provide a haunting background for pianist Tom Zink to do some soul-searching, while the ballad “Beck’s Song” (dedicated to Hughes’ wife) proves the bassist has a heart. Keyboardist David Benoit adds depth and an aggressiveness not heard on his own albums, and saxophonist Jackie Kelso works a smooth, urban polish into his contributions. Hughes himself remains tasteful throughout the recording, never dominating in the mix or hogging solo space. Though there’s little here that’s groundbreaking either rhythmically or compositionally, “Perfect Partners” is a solid, satisfying, contemporary statement.