Alligator Bogaloo (album)

Alligator Bogaloo is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Melvin Lastie, Lonnie Smith, George Benson, and Leo Morris.

The success of the title track surprised Donaldson: "[W]e made the date and we were three minutes short. I said we don't have no more material. And the guy said just play anything for three minutes so we can fill out the time. So I just made the riff and naturally the guys could follow it. That's the only damn thing that sold on the record."

Reception
The album was awarded 4 stars in an Allmusic review by Al Campbell who states "Alligator Bogaloo is one example of Lou Donaldson's successful combinations of hard bop and soul-jazz".

Track listing

 * All compositions by Lou Donaldson except as indicated


 * 1) "Alligator Boogaloo" - 6:57
 * 2) "One Cylinder" (Freddie McCoy) - 6:48
 * 3) "The Thang" - 3:34
 * 4) "Aw Shucks!" (Lonnie Smith) - 7:23
 * 5) "Rev. Moses" - 6:27
 * 6) "I Want a Little Girl" (Murray Mencher, Billy Moll) - 4:29

Personnel

 * Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone
 * Melvin Lastie - cornet (#1-5)
 * Lonnie Smith - organ
 * George Benson - guitar
 * Leo Morris - drums