JAZZ CHICAGOReview By: Brad Walseth The Glenious Inner Planet (Blue Bamboo Music) You don't hear many bands cover Dave Brubeck's gnarly “Blue Rondo a la Turk," (the variation here is titled “Blue Rondo a la Raad") but that's the case on bassist Glen Ackerman's new album The Glenious Inner Planet. Of course, I don't remember an electric guitar solo (courtesy the talented Chris Cortez) occuring on the original either, but in any case it is good clean fun featuring great solo work from Woody Witt on soprano sax and Ackerman, while setting the tone for what is an enjoyably wild ride. Things get Miles funky on the humorously-titled “There is a Drop of Roppongi on My Shorts" with Ted Wenglinski on hyper-panned electric piano, Paul Chester on guitar, Joel Fulgham on drums and Ackerman on a supersonic solo that is a thing of wonder. It is clear that Ackerman has listened to bass and drum units like Future Sound of London on “Inner Planet" with JD Guzman on drums, space age electronic keyboard effects and Witt's soprano dueling Chester's guitar. Meanwhile, the 9:22 moody, Middle-Eastern-influenced “Khalil" finds the multi-talented Witt on clarinet. “Potato Wagon" is a fun, swinging tune, while “...This Lontano, I" shimmers like a setting sun on a distant horizon. The oddly-titled “The Thing and the Thing that makes the Thing the Thing" is maybe the most interesting and satisfying composition on the album, while “4 is a Feeling" is a burning rave-up that gives the entire gang a chance to tear it up. And album ending “The Angel of the Odd" brings back the space sounds (including Ackerman's wah bass) in a twisted take on the blues. Even though they clearly have lots of fun on this album, it is also apparent that the level of musicianship and composition is serious indeed. Recommended for people who like to smile while they listen to good music. www.bluebamboomusic.com
