Either Hartford's Nikita isn't quite sure what sort of band they want to be, or they know EXACTLY what they're doing. There are no wrong answers.

One moment, they're riding the sort of smooth R&B wave that makes you think of Donnie Hathaway cruising on a surfboard across perfect waves of Fender Rhodes piano. Then — wait! — guitarist Allan Holdsworth crashes through the wall from the recording studio next door where he's not only back from the dead but recording with Bill Bruford's band. If that makes no visual sense, just remember the (con)fusion from that famous backstage fistfight between "Peg"-era Steely Dan and Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis.

What's that? That doesn't make any sense, either?

It will if you'll just give a listen to Nikita's "Indigo/Tides" EP. You'll like it. Maybe a lot. Better yet, head Friday to the Strange Brew Pub in Norwich and see Nikita live.

Nikita, 8 p.m. Friday, Strange Brew Pub, 86 Water St., Norwich; $10; (860) 885-1975