The band Snarky Puppy reminds me of my old VW van. I used to tell people, “It’s not a vehicle; it’s an attitude.” The Baker’s Dozen rotating band Snarky Puppy is similar; they come across as a Millennial version of Booker T and The MGs, able to be the perfect backup band for any mood, style and occasion, and make it swing and jive.
This latest album, with the core of Michael League/b, Bill Laurence/key, Bob Lanzetti/g and JT Thomas/dr and a team of rotating horns and strings that is fit for a Mozart Opera, goes from Africa to soul and funk and doesn’t drop a stitch. There is a surfeit of guests here as well; you get an earthy mix of indie-Gaellic and Africa with Becca Stevens and Vasen on “I Asked” as well as some earthy Afro Cuban grooves and lilting guitar supplied by Charlie Hunter as Susana Baca delivers the vocals on an earthy “Molino Molero.” The horns deliver STAXY support for Chris Turner on a stomping “Liquid Love” while ethereal flutes and Salif Keita’s other worldy voice takes you to the West African Sahel Desert on the glowing “Soro.” Other guests, such as Ed Lee, Jacob Collie, Knower and Jeff Coffin add extra instruments and voices for tunes that snap, pop and lilt. You get the feel that this may just be the ultimate bar band around!
Universal