Insert Sax/Sex Pun Here

Veteran of Lenny Kravitz's band before Kravitz started sucking and founding member of the Greyboy Allstars, Karl Denson is the godfather of contemporary saxophone. Apparently, he's also a superhero -- Orb Man -- as revealed by his website (www.karldenson.com). His band, the Tiny Universe, also possesses secret, superpowered identities that its members use to wreck stages internationally while fighting evil intergalactically. Back on Earth, the six-piece, poly-funking fury is known for its sophisticated, sexed-up, all-nighter gigs, combining punchy funk, hip-hop bounce, and soul&B. Denson himself is obviously a monstrous sax player beloved by jam-band heshers everywhere, but he's also a deep groove king, with lines and musical explorations that put him beyond many bands that fall into the Bonneroo/ex-Dead Head-festival camp. His recordings don't reveal his intensity and the tastefulness and imagination of the band's live performances -- it's gotta be experienced in person for the full cosmic effect.

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe saves the world at 9 p.m. Saturday, August 13, at the Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $18. Call 954-564-1074.