| Galactic
is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
|
GALACTIC TICKETS
|
Origins and background
Originally formed in 1994 as an octet (under the name Galactic Prophylactic) and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to an instrumental sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist
Robert Mercurio, drummer
Stanton Moore, saxophonist Ben Ellman and Hammond organist Rich Vogel, later adding
Theryl DeClouet on vocals.
The group was started when Raines and Mercurio, childhood friends from the
Washington D.C. area, moved to New Orleans together to attend college at
Tulane and Loyola Universities, and became enamored of the local funk scene, populated by such legendary acts as
The Meters and
Dirty Dozen Brass Band and inspired by local legends such as
Professor Longhair. There they teamed with noted New Orleans drummer
Stanton Moore, saxophonist/harmonica (now producer) Ben Ellman, and Rich Vogel. In 2004, the band parted ways with vocalist DeClouet, and now continue as an instrumental group. They have been releasing ground breaking albums consistently since 1996. Many songs found on their latest album, titled
From the Corner to the Block
, include underground MCs widely regarded as elite and popular.
Musical style
The band has developed a unique sound as a result of their influences, including:
hip hop,
electronic,
world music,
rock,
blues and
jazz. Many of their songs include performances by other artists of various styles of music, like hip-hop artists
Boots Riley (of
The Coup),
Gift of Gab (of
Blackalicious) and
Chali 2na (of
Jurassic 5). On the European version of
From the Corner to the Block there are two tracks more than on the US version. One of those tracks ("Valley Of Pain") features the German rapper
Dendemann.
Evolution
Over the years, the band's sound has evolved from organic New Orleans funk to a more modern style, incorporating elements of hip hop, electronica, fusion, and jazz. This change has been largely characterized by the increased use of electronic effects on guitar, bass, saxophone, and drums. Drummer
Stanton Moore uses phrase samplers to sample a rhythm which he can then play over, producing intricate and layered drum sounds. Ben Ellman, saxophonist and harmonica player, often distorts his instruments to the degree that they sound similar to an electric guitar.
Live performances
The band is also noted for inviting guest musicians from New Orleans to perform onstage with them. These include: the
Dirty Dozen Brass Band,
The Neville Brothers,
Brian Seeger,
George Porter of
The Meters, and
Skerik (a saxophone player who is actually based in
Seattle, Washington, but is part of Stanton Moore's side project
Garage A Trois), to name a few.
The band is often on tour, and have shared the stage with acts including
Live,
Counting Crows, the
Allman Brothers Band,
The Roots,
Fusebox Funk,
Widespread Panic,
B.B. King,
Mike Doughty (formerly of
Soul Coughing),
Gift of Gab (of
Blackalicious), and
Jurassic 5.
Future releases
Galactic's next album is set to include guest appearances from rappers including
Lyrics Born (an MC and producer from the
Quannum Projects hip hop collective). According to Lyrics Born's Web site, the guest artist line-up featuring
MCs,
DJs, and vocalists has already been determined, but it is being kept secret for the time being. However, Ben Ellman has said that all of the guest MCs at their
Bonnaroo performance (
Lyrics Born,
Gift of Gab,
Chali 2na,
Lateef, and
Boots Riley) will be featured on the album.
Galactic's most recent album,
From the Corner to the Block
was released on August 21, 2007.
Lyrics Born's Myspace page has stated that "In addition to LB, this record features an array of today's most innovative MC's, including
The Coup's
Boots Riley,
Digable Planets'
Ladybug Mecca,
Juvenile,
Jurassic 5's
Chali 2na,
Mr. Lif,
Lateef the Truth Speaker and
Gift of Gab from
Blackalicious and more. The new album will also feature unique collaborative efforts with
New Orleans artists
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux,
Soul Rebels Brass Band and
Trombone Shorty."
Discography
- Coolin' Off
– Fog City Records (1996)
- Crazyhorse Mongoose
– Capricorn (1998)
- Late for the Future
– Polygram (2000)
- We Love 'Em Tonight: Live at Tipitina's
– Volcano Records (2001)
- Vintage Reserve
– Volcano Records (2003)
- Ruckus
– Sanctuary Records (2003)
- From the Corner to the Block
(2007)