On his latest release, Late Night Radio, Bay Area artist Scott Woods blends together a sophisticated, eclectic mix of his greatest influences to create a rare blend of grooves. There are echoes of funk blended with roots rock and blues, fused together with elements of vintage soul and jazz. Woods' eclectic yet harmonious influences have always spoken through his stellar guitar performances but Late Night Radio marks the debut of Woods as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Bolstered by his turns on bass, Clavinet, Hammond Organ and Fender Rhodes, Woods explores new territory and brings a few friends along for the trip.
To help add some meat to the already big bones of Late Night Radio, Woods enlists an all-star crew. At the helm with Woods is renowned producer, engineer and bassist, Myron Dove (Santana, Robben Ford). Dove adds his bass prowess and works the mix for mighty New Orleans bassist George Porter, Jr. (Meters) on "Late Night Radio" and "Orangutan Swing" while drum phenom Dennis Chambers (P-Funk, John Scofield, Santana) brings his deep groove to "Free Man" and "Ho in Show". Add in everything from the smoky incantations of a Brazilian chanteuse to full bore Soul Sister throw-downs and listeners will find that Scott Woods' Late Night Radio is ready for Prime Time.
Also appearing on "Late Night Radio"...Mike Rinta-Trombone (Brass Monkey Brass Band), Darian Gray-Drums (Dynamic), Pete Booras-Drums, Margo LeDuc-Vocals, Krystle Jones - Vocals, Tony Lindsey-Vocals(Santana), Eamonn Flynn-Keys (Zigaboo Modeliste, Spearhead, Tony Lindsey), Jeff Cohen-Drums (Eric McFadden), Andy Birchett-Bass (UFM).
Scott, and his new band will hit the road in 2008. Stay tuned for preview tracks and upcoming shows!
Scotts Woods' love of deep funk and roots music was forged in the sweltering groove foundries that are New Orleans' legendary clubs. As a student of groove, Woods developed an insatiable appetite for the power of vintage funk and it's foundations of jazz, soul and R&B. Woods' sound continued to evolve as he left the Crescent City for Colorado just as the Acid Jazz/Jam Band movement began. His firm footing in funk grounded him well for his tenure in Colorado performing with numerous groups as well as his move to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late nineties. Since landing in the Bay Area, Woods has continued his dedication to his craft. He has honed not only his sound but his skills as a songwriter, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist and grasps all phases of music making, from composition to production to performance.
In 2002, Woods released UFM Crosscontagulation, his first effort as writer, producer. Crosscontagulation introduced his skills as a groove smith to the Bay Area and served as his tribute to New Orleans. The album rings with traditional second line brass band grooves and thumps with deep-pocket funksmanship gleaned from Woods' years in the Crescent City. Layered with classic funk quartet of guitar, drums, bass and Hammond organ along with some of the Bay Area's choicest horns, Crosscontagulation propelled UFM from smoking late night sessions at John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room and Bruno's to howling performances at the Great American Music Hall, San Francisco Funk Festival, North Beach Jazz Festival and the McLaren Park Funk Festival.
Download Scott's music here
Review of Scott's debut CD, UFM "CrossContagulation"
"The formula of phat sycopated beats coupled with dizzying brass instruments has flourished in this era on '70s funk revival, and Scott Woods' UFM is no exception. Any funk band worth a damn starts with a rhythm section; and the tight, infectious foundation laid down on "CrossContagulation!" would make the Meters proud. Scott's talented horn section offer Mardi Gras-style bursts that might inspire the listener to flash for beads. However the spine of this record is Scott Woods' spirited guitar licks. Never allowing the band do dealve into the realm of "Funk Lite", Woods guitar is intense." Aaron Serrao - SF Weekly
