From the first several bars of Naughty Professor’s new EP, Good Things, listeners will instantly realize New Orleans’ premier progressive, funky jazz band is reaching for something far from the run of the mill. The EP displays more growth from the sextet with the type of aggressive playing amid complex arrangements that has become the band’s hallmark.

Yet, this is not your grandfather’s prog band with long-winded solos wandering in nonsensical directions. The band is tight and none of the songs exceed five minutes, though repeat listening rewards the ear by exposing the depth of the songwriting.

The opening cut, “Rush Hour,” features Weedie Braimah—a hot percussion player on the scene both nationally and in New Orleans with a Grammy-nominated album, which was recently included on Time magazine’s 10 Best Albums of 2021. Yet, the song isn’t defined by his performance. The band brings Braimah and his djembe hand drum into the mix for a killer call-and-response solo at the end of the tune. 

The second tune, “Waltz,” also features a special guest, keyboardist and synth player Shaun Martin of the band Snarky Puppy. The two bands are clearly kindred spirits and Martin adds some serious synth shredding to a song that seems to seek to redefine the term “waltz,” with fluctuating tempos and a great attack from the horn section.

In keeping with the EP’s theme, the third composition, “Kings,” features another kind of shredder, saxophone-and-electronics maniac Skerik. He takes a spirited solo that makes perfect sense in the context of this hard-charging, shape-shifting tune.

Naughty Professor saxophonist Nick Ellman said it best: “While our sound and style continue to evolve in different facets of what we do, this three-track, heavy-hitter special-guests EP is letting everyone know that our core instrumental unit still has a lot to say, with much more to come.”

Naughty Professor performs on the Gentilly Stage at Jazz Fest on Friday, April 29, at 11:20 a.m.