Ground Control to Major Glen

Although promoted as something like the bastard musical child of Sun Ra and Charlie Hunter, bassist Glen Ackerman’s “The Glenious Inner Planet” is more earth bound funk than space junk. Whether the band is re-visiting a classic with an electric twist (“Blue Rondo a la Raad”) or merging the upper register sounds of guitar and sax and heading for parts unknown (“Inner Planet”), this is always witty, engaging music.   “There Is A Drop Of Roppongi On My Shorts” is a perfect example of what Ackerman has on his mind for the album. Drummer Joel Fulgus sets the beat before his thumping bass comes in, boosted by funky keyboards by Ted Wenglinski. Paul Chester’s guitar feeds into the first of two fiery solos by saxophonist Woody Witt. And what does the title mean? I guess it doesn’t matter when you’re bopping along with the band.   Recommended for fans of Medeski, Martin and Wood, and interstellar space flights.