Slugger is a side project of Naughty Professor’s bassist Noah Young, Tank and the Bangas’ keyboardist Joe Johnson and George Porter, Jr.’s drummer Terrence Houston along with a relatively new guitarist on the scene, Max Bronstein. There are a couple high profile special guests as well.

The five full cuts on their new EP explore similar instrumental terrain as Young’s main musical outlet. Yet, they differ primarily because of the musical personalities of his partners. Houston’s style is more aggressively syncopated than Sam Shahin of Naughty Professor, while Johnson’s keyboard work veers closer to the spacey tinkling of recent West Coast soul jazz.

Bronstein is the wild card as far as local New Orleans listeners are concerned. His soloing, particularly on “Ahura Mazda” (a cut named for the highest spirit worshipped in Zoroastrianism) is spiraling while being pinpoint precise. The song also features guest percussion from Ghanaian-American master Weedie Braimah.

Another newcomer to these ears, vocalist McKenna Alicia, brings her neo-soul chops to “Silver Lining.” The juxtaposition of her soaring, occasionally wordless vocalizing with the start-stop rhythms of Young and Houston is downright infectious.

For his part, Young brings his characteristic aggressive attack to the proceedings particularly on the last song “Starkist.” The tune jumps, swerves and grooves like a tuna on the line. Johnson percolates behind the beat and adds some frenetic touches.

“George,” a song featuring George Porter, Jr., starts off like some long-lost Meters track, except Houston is driving the beat on his snare like he’s running out of road. Porter, Jr.’s solo is straight out of his wheelhouse and the musical telepathy between the two musicians, honed on many, many gigs, is clearly evident.

Throughout Milky Way the musicians demonstrate a deep understanding of the connections between jazz, soul and funk. If only it was longer than its 26 minutes.