Euphone is the all- instrumental funk uncle of one Ryan Rapsys, a Chicago- based veteran of the hardcore/ indie punk scene and general man about town. The Breaking Parole EP is his second release and if you, the discriminating electro- jazz- rock fan have yet to hear Mr. Rapsys's work, you would do well by checking out this slab of electro- jazz- funk excellence.

Rapsys wrote and played every note on this album and his talents as a multi- instrumentalist are impressive. Above all, he's a drummer, and his riveting talents with percussion take center stage in the seven songs showcased here. Combining the teutonian precision of Trans Am and the booty- shakin' frills of James Brown's funky drummer, Rapsys emerges as a Mack. His additional gifts in summoning appropriate musical accompaniment make him a Mack of the Highest Order.

The seven tracks here are less songs than they are snatches of rhythmic centered moods. "I Did Not Say Maybe Not" begins with a soft acoustic intro before kicking into an ultra- sexy urban cruise. "Little Warbles" takes a neo-psychedelic guitar riff and stuffs in spaced- out polyrhythmic funk while the members of Santana stand aside, stoned and afraid. The EP's closer, "New Dusk Policy," takes a step back from the blissed- out pace and flows on a more relaxed (though equally intricated) vibration. Throughout, Euphone never overdoes it, and almost all the tracks end before the word repetitive even springs to mind.

Those who like this sort of thing would do well to check out the first Euphone album on Hefty Records (run by director John Hughes' son, John Hughes III), which while not as dense as Breaking Parole, hits the spot in a similar fashion. In fact, if you're as good as you think you are, maybe you should pick up both these records. This young man needs your encouragement.

-Samir Khan