New York guitar phenom Oz Noy is that rare artist — one who has cultivated his own distinct voice within the context of classic structures. His latest album, “Booga Looga Loo” reawakens timeless Boogaloo meets Jazz meets R&B grooves with Noy’s extended, unpredictable harmonic sensibility, stinging phrasing, and deft musical economy. Helping to realize Noy’s concept of the boogaloo record is a cast of musicians equally versed in the backbeat and the beyond, including drummers Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl and Steve Ferrone; bassists Will Lee, John Patitucci, and James Genus; and keyboardists Jerry Z and Brian Charette. Other contributors include Kevin Hays, Seamus Blake, and Anne Drummond.
On “Booga Looga Loo”, five taut, incisive Noy originals are joined by striking reinventions of material by the Beatles (“Eight Days a Week,” with Lee on vocals), the Beach Boys (an achingly delivered “God Only Knows”), Ray Charles (“I Got a Woman”), and Thelonious Monk (“Bemsha Swing”). The album follows “Twisted Blues”, Oz Noy’s acclaimed two-volume exploration of the limits of the blues, a searing live set recorded in Shanghai with Weckl and bassist Étienne M’Bappé (“Asian Twistz”), a Soul Funk R&B record “Who Give A Funk” and the debut of “Ozone Squeeze”, Noy’s versatile, accessible trio with drummer Darren Stanley and vocalist and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte.
Format: CD
Cat No.: ABLX 060
Barcode: 700261472607
Line up
Bass – James Genus (tracks: 4,7), John Patitucci (tracks: 2,5), Will Lee (tracks: 1,3,6,8)
Cello – Dave Eggar (tracks: 7), Marika Hughes (tracks: 3,7)
Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 4,7), Steve Ferrone (tracks: 1,3,6,8), Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 2,5)
Flute – Anne Drummond (tracks: 1,2,5)
Guitar – Oz Noy
Organ – Brian Charette (tracks: 2,4,5,7), Jerry Z. (tracks: 1,3,6,8)
Piano – Kevin Hays (tracks: 5)
Saxophone – Seamus Blake (tracks: 6)
Trumpet – John Sneider (tracks: 2)
Violin – Alba Torremocha (tracks: 3,7), Gabrielle Fink (tracks: 7), Mazz Swift (tracks: 3,7)
Track list
01. BooGaloo Fever
02. Chocolate Soufflé
03. A Soul Thang
04. Bemsha Swing
05. Booga Looga Loo
06. I Got A Woman
07. God Only Knows
08. Eight Days A Week
Recording information
Jazz Times Review by Bill Meredith