The Meters: Leo Nocentelli (guitar); Art Neville (organ); George Porter Jr. (bass instrument); Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste (drums).

Although the Meters had scored a pair of hits on the band's self-titled debut ("Cissy Strut," "Sophisticated Cissy"), the instrumental quartet was still busy churning out sessions at the New Orleans studio of Allen Tousaint and Marshall Sehorn. Between backing such names as Lee Dorsey and Betty Harris, the band cranked out a follow-up that was even funkier than its debut.

When these songs aren't busy getting basted by Art Neville's succulent-sounding organ ("Pungee") or spiced up by guitarist Leo Nocentelli's licks ("9 'Til 5"), the rhythm section of bassist George Porter, Jr. and drummer Ziggy Modeliste keeps the stew cooking with plenty of bouncy grooves ("Funky Miracle.") The best example of the Meters' ability to reside squarely in the pocket is the infectious title track, which is inspired by a misfiring auto engine and dominated by Modeliste's whip-smart time keeping. Other notable juicy moments include the percolating "Little Old Money Maker" and the previously unreleased soul nugget "Borro." By far the oddest track on LOOK-KA PY PY is a cover of "Oh, Calcutta!" that sounds more suited for a Memphis after-hours club than the Broadway stage.

Q (2/00, p.101) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...hard-to-find, MGs-inspired instrumental albums....magical skeletons of jigsaw funk...[a] must-have..."

Dirty Linen (6-7/00, pp.87-8) - "...Displays all of the swagger and funk of a sweltering New Orleans summer night romp....the premier instrumental band of swamp-rock and soul....Chunky African rhythms, slow-cooked shuffles, and some backbeat boss basslines..."

Living Blues (5-6/01, pp.91-4) - "...Excellent....The music is exceptional, a potent mixture of clipped jerk rhythms and simple laid-back funk with syncopated accents....a virtual blueprint for '70s street funk..."