East meets West in this joyous live-in-studio recording by two guitar greats. Oz Noy, a New York-based jazz icon, and Andrew Synowiec, a Los Angeles session ace and solo star in his own right, spent just one day recording ‘RECREATIONAL SUBSTANCE,’ a collection of original songs, which also features Hadrien Feraud on bass and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. The result is a fine melding of powerful guitar-inspired fusion. According to Synowiec, who I interviewed recently, minimal preproduction was done; however, the songs were tested at a live gig shortly before the album was recorded in the studio.

The combination of compositions and guitar styles is very complementary. The lead-off track, “Big City,” which was written by Synowiec, is a joyous festival. Synowiec’s meaty Les Paul initially carries the main theme, which Noy brings the funk with his Fender.

The rhythm section drives home the point with a funky backbeat while the two principals trade solos.

Noy’s composition “I Don’t Know Why,” which also appears on the guitarist’s 2006 release, ‘Oz Live,’ is a wonderful and bold revisiting of the song. Noy’s Telecaster provides a gritty tone to this energetic and funky tune. Smith and Feraud conspire to put their own stamp on the tune, and Synowiec provides tasty licks in addition to harmonized parts with Noy. The interplay and shifts in guitar tone are memorizing, as is the end-song drum solo.

Synowiec’s “ Burn That Bridge ” brings the smoke. The opening chancy rhythm passage and clipped bass parts set the tone. Smith’s shuffle is tasty and original. Synowiec utilizes a fuzz pedal for his lead before we jump into a greasy mid-song Les Paul solo. The song is toe-tapping good.

“Half Romantic” is an introspective melodic gem. Noy’s delicate

Picking carries the primary melodic element of the song. Feraud plays a brief yet tasty bass interlude that compliments the volume of pedal guitar passages, which I assume is Synowiec’s Les Paul. The song is a slow-burning, funk-infused gem that builds and builds with each bar.

Noy and Synowiec offer variety in their playing and compositional styles. The nylon-string-driven “Brothers” finds the composer and Noy ( on his 12-string acoustic), making this complex composition inviting and warm. “101 Blues” brings it all home with its infectious bluesy beat, Noy’s clean-sounding Stratocaster, and Synowiec’s melodic Les Paul.

The album, out on House of Syn Records, has eight vibrant tracks. It’s easy to forget that ‘RECREATIONAL SUBSTANCE’ was recorded in just one day.

Andrew Synowiec and Oz Noy will play a limited number of gigs to support the album. Listen to it and seek them out.