Naughty Professor are fresh off a tour with hip-hop legend Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, and they’re wasting no time getting back in in the spotlight.

The New Orleans jazz-funk ensemble just debuted the first single from their upcoming album, Identity. Slated for release in the spring of 2017, the new record finds the group teaming up with a different guest artist on each track. Accomplished performers like Chali 2na, Ivan Neville, Eric “Benny” Bloom, Mike Dillon and members of the Soul Rebels are among the collaborators that join them on the new effort.

Another one of those collaborators is David Shaw, who lent his vocal chops for the newly released single, “Stray.” The Revivalists frontman’s smooth, soulful style is a great fit for Naughty Professor’s laid back energy, which is utilized to great effect on this track (and many others).

“When [drummer] Sam [Shahin] came to the band with the original musical idea for ‘Stray,’ within the first few run-throughs, and after some reflection, we all agreed that Dave’s voice was the perfect one to really bring this song to life,” says Naughty Professor’s John Culbreth of the collaboration. “Now that it’s been recorded and produced, I must say, I think we were right.”

Formed in 2010, Naughty Professor have already released three albums that showcase their loose-yet-complex blend of jazz and funk. It’s a style that has earned them a reputation as a top notch live act both in and beyond the Crescent City. The band—Ian Bowman (tenor sax), John culbreth (trumpet), Bill Daniel (guitar), Nick Ellman (alto and baritone sax), San Shahin (drums) and Noah Young bass)—will play their next New Orleans show on December 10 when they headline the Maple Leaf.

Naughty Professor Tour Dates:

December 1 Pi On Broadway–Ocala, FL
December 2 Beachside Tavern–New Smyrna Beach, FL
December 3 Café DaVinci–Deland, FL
December 9 Varsity Theatre–Baton Rouge, LA
December 10 Maple Leaf–New Orleans, LA
December 29 Cox Capitol Theater–Macon, GA
December 30 Buckhead Theatre–Atlanta, GA