New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore can be found providing the backbeat for the groovy Galactic or the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars. While much has been made of Moore's ability to lay down the funk, All Kooked Out! also touches New Orleans second-line marches and a bit of postbop. Moore is mostly joined by guitarist Charlie Hunter and saxophonist Skerik (Tuatara, Critters Buggin') for a groovy studio session that leaves plenty of room for each to shine. Hunter and his eight-string guitar in particular step to the forefront--playing heads and laying a nice melodic veneer over the syncopated rhythms. When it's time to tear the roof off, Moore brings in extra New Orleans-style horns, giving some songs a good-time Dirty Dozen Brass Band feel. Nicely paced, varied, and played, All Kooked Out! is a fine debut by Moore, a gifted musician with a flair for strong, syncopated beats. --Tad Hendrickson