Nu Shooz Orchestra

The SHOOZ are back!!!

More than two decades after their 1986 Top Ten Hit single, “I Can’t Wait,” took the world by storm, NU SHOOZ returns with a new album, “Pandora’s Box”, and a 10 piece orchestra Gil Evans would have loved. Formed in Portland, Oregon in the summer of 1979, their line-up has changed over time, but in all its various forms, they’ve always pushed the boundaries between pop, funk, and jazz. Now, with the release of Pandora’s Box, Portland’s favorite soul explorers take one giant leap for mankind with a brave new sound, combining their signature brand of funk with elements borrowed from Film Noir, ‘60s Spy Movies and even Tarzan.

Yes, Tarzan.

Lyrical and dreamlike, playful and sublime, PANDORA’S BOX is the latest stop in the continuing journeys of band leaders Valerie Day and John Smith. The NU SHOOZ Orchestra is our experimental music laboratory,” Day says, “and John the mad scientist of beats and chords.” This latest addition to the NU SHOOZ sonic landscape features nine new songs, along with remakes of three SHOOZ classics from the band’s 1986 Gold Record “Poolside:” an all-grown-up funky version of the Billboard Top 40 hit “Point of No Return,” a laid back “Driftin’” and a jazzy 20th-anniversary version of the band’s #3 Billboard hit “ I Can’t Wait.” Since the ‘80s Day and Smith have both had unique and varied experiences. Day has been performing and recording jazz (www.valeriedaysings.com), and created “Brain Chemistry For Lovers”, a combination concert, cabaret and science lecture that explores the neuroscience of Romantic Love (www.brainchemistryforlovers.com). Smith has been a composer and arranger - scoring indie films and hundreds of commercials (www.malcocreative.com).

NU SHOOZ was nominated for a “Best New Artist” Grammy award in 1987 and earned a Gold Record for the album “Poolside.” Their breakthrough hit, “I Can’t Wait” continues to be played on radio stations around the globe every 11 minutes. The band has been featured on MTV, VH1, and classic music programs like American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and the UK’s Top of the Pops. They’ve toured with some of the biggest names in show business, including Tina Turner, Billy Ocean, and the Pointer Sisters.

And the journey continues…

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