If
Wasted ended after "Gatur Bait," the third song, it would be a soul classic. Smooth grooves -- in the best sense -- that never let the jazz leanings take over,
the Gaturs brought a less-drum-specific take to the New Orleans funky soul sound, complete with some great tambourine-shaking. Leader/keyboardist
Willie Tee had scored earlier regional hits with "Teasin' You" and it's sound-alike follow-up, "Thank You John," two of the sweetest-sounding songs in the pimping songbook. By the time of these early-'70s recordings,
Tee had played behind many of New Orleans' top artists, both on record and on-stage. His voice had also deepened. However, none of that can explain the vapidness of much of
Wasted. Juxtaposed with standouts "Booger Man" and "Cold Bear" are downright boring lite-jazz vamps with lyrics that make many later-day adult contemporary songs seem insightful. Just when you're ready to give up completely,
the Gaturs sucker you in for some more with a decent track like "Funky Funky Twist." ~ Kurt Edwards