Oz Noy Who Gives a Funk (2016)

Some might think that guitarist Oz Noy, a celebrated voice in jazz-fusion over the last quarter century for applying his formidable guitar chops to funky rhythms and blues-based changes on 13 leader albums and hundreds of plugged-in concert performances, is not an obvious fit for Criss Cross, whose 420+-album catalog connects almost exclusively to the various tributaries of the hardcore acoustic jazz river. Noy, 52, begs to differ. "I've known about Criss Cross since my brother brought home albums when I was a teenager, " he says, discussing the back story of his label debut, Fun One, a creative, sophisticated and, shall we say, swinging trio encounter with pianist David Kikoski, bassist James Genus and drummer Clarence Penn.

Some might think that guitarist Oz Noy, a celebrated voice in jazz-fusion over the last quarter century for applying his formidable guitar chops to funky rhythms and blues-based changes on 13 leader albums and hundreds of plugged-in concert performances, is not an obvious fit for Criss Cross, whose 420+-album catalog connects almost exclusively to the various tributaries of the hardcore acoustic jazz river. Noy, 52, begs to differ. "I've known about Criss Cross since my brother brought home albums when I was a teenager, " he says, discussing the back story of his label debut, Fun One, a creative, sophisticated and, shall we say, swinging trio encounter with pianist David Kikoski, bassist James Genus and drummer Clarence Penn.

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.

“There are definitely no rules, set parameters – or formula at all,” explains Ozone Squeeze keyboardist and vocalist Rai Thistlethwayte. “It's always been an intuitive conversation.” Consisting of Rai Thistlethwayte, New York based guitar virtuoso Oz Noy, and deep-grooving drummer Darren Stanley who spent last few years with recently departed iconic Col. Bruce Hampton, Ozone Squeeze present a boldly personal vision of soul, funk, and R&B music on their self-titled debut album, to be released by Abstract Logix on September 15. Bridging the emotional resonance of classic song forms with a sonic fluidity and exploratory impulse drawn from jazz and the outer limits of improvised music, Ozone Squeeze is a compelling snapshot of a new band reveling in the moment – at once loose and tight, audibly enthralled with the wide-ranging potential of their collective dynamic.