Ouzo Bazooka - Transporter

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 22 / 2 / 2019

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For a year or two Tel Aviv, known for its cafe latte laptop elektronica muzak, kept in store this magnificent surprise. Keeping Ouzo Bazooka under the lid for much longer, however, proved impossible. Out came sun-brained Ouzo Bazooka with their first full-length album on a label well away from the Mediterranean. A label from Bristol of course, Bristol being the new, and old, San Francisco. The Severn Bay harbour city has for centuries hosted the new and unexpected. Ouzo Bazooka offers such a treat exactly from the overseas, as on a couple of tracks West-African licks are incorporated, whereas on others you'll hear echoes of West Coast garage punk from say, California. 'Space Camel' flirts with Arabic and Nigerian music to a backbeat originally conceived in either Munich or Milan but which was moulded in Tel Aviv. And next, you'll hear a riff you may know from one Omar Souleyman. 'Transporter' is a pleasant but coherent and dazzling collection of styles, to say the least. 'Trip Train' is a rumbling Sixties garage rock number and develops into a series of well-meant, oomph-sounding punches. In the stomach, I reckon. Side 1 comes to an end with 'Killing Me' upon which an odd mixture of West-African synth pop licks, West Coast 1960's psychedelica and vocal harmonies come together. On Side 2 reflection gets replaced by conviction. 'Relax' features a fabulous guitar riff of African origin. At times it sounds as if Ouzo Bazooka include members from the Touareg region. Desert twang is definitely one of the band's trademarks. After a string of overwhelmingly splendid summer tunes, Ouzo Bazooka dance a Balkan jig on 'Revolution Eyes'. Poignant, energetic and entirely enjoyiable, Ouzo Bazooka claim to be "second to your thirst". As they sing on 'Falling'" ... we've got everything for miles." - which they do. By this stage happy memories come to mind of the Blue Orchids meeting the Beach Boys. By which, it's about time to rewind and again delve into the fuzztone 1960s splash of 'It's A Sin' with its deep twang and whirling buzz saw guitar riffs. 'Space Camel' demands for "the fun to begin" and asks,"Happiness is free/Why live in misery?" Ride your space camel. Most of all, 'Transporter' is one of the most original albums I have heard in a long while. It is one of those rare Sixties punk pop albums with an open mind. File next to Fumaça Petra.

Track Listing:-

1 It's A Sin
2 Latest News
3 Space Camel
4 Trip Train
5 Killing Me
6 Relax
7 Sleep Walk
8 Revolution Eyes
9 Coming From The Wild
10 Falling

Label Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/stolenbodyrecords
https://twitter.com/Stolenbodyrecs
https://www.youtube.com/user/thebadjokethatended
https://stolenbodyrecords.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/stolenbodyrecords/

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