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All About Jazz SAM PHIPPS Animal Sounds Recorded In Los Angeles back in ‘80 and ’82, Animal Sounds was recorded by onetime Oingo Boingo saxophonist Sam “Sluggo” Phipps, and the then member of the new wave/ska group was in a definite experimental mood. Each song on Animal Sounds has its own searching personality. Moods and colors range include the long drawn rubato/cacophonic sax work on “Mystery” contrasted with Noah Young’s edgy bass and Steve Larantz’s multidirectional drumming. In Stark contrast is the hard hitting title piece which has a wide array of horns clucking and fluttering in and out of sync, sounding as if one were eavesdropping on multiple conversations at a cocktail party. In complete variance is Phipps’ explorative acapella performance of “Woke Up Clipped,” which includes a range of blues wailing, growling and honking. John Larkin’s dramatic and percussive piano draws reminiscence of McCoy Tyner during the boppish duet on “No End.” Intense, free and barring no holds, Phipps and friends put out a thought provoking recording that still carries a sharp edge 25 years later. Thanks to Wondercap Records for bringing this gem back to Boingo fans and improv fans alike.
Thursday, January 3, 2008 Oingo Boingo sax player at Freakbeat Records On Sunday, sax player Sam Phipps, best known for playing in the quirky pop band Oingo Boingo, gave a live performance at Freakbeat Records. New label, Wondercap Records, just released the CD of Phipps’ jazz LP classic, Animal Sounds, featuring five bonus tracks. Phipps, blowing on tenor and soprano saxes, transformed the store into an ultra cool jazz club for the afternoon, showing influences from John Coltrane to Dexter Gordon. Accompanied by the smoking duo of Steve Bartek on guitar and Don Heffington on drums, he played songs from Animal Sounds as well as a soulful version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for the appreciative crowd. |
