| Galactic | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Jazz Funk Rock Hip-hop New Orleans |
| Years active | Early 1990s–present |
| Labels | Sanctuary Records, ANTI-, Fog City Records, Capricorn, Traffic (japan), Volcano |
| Website | galacticfunk.com |
| Members | |
| Robert Mercurio Jeff Raines Richard Vogel Stanton Moore Ben Ellman |
|
| Past members | |
| Theryl DeClouet | |
Galactic is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
Contents |
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 a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio, drummer Stanton Moore, Hammond organist Rich Vogel, Theryl DeClouet on vocals, and later adding saxophonist Ben Ellman.
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 albums consistently since 1996.
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.
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.
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, Corey "Boe Money" Henry 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.
As of 2010, the bands main guest vocalist has been Corey Glover from the band Living Colour.
Ya-Ka-May, Galactic's most recent studio album, was released on Feb 9, 2010 on ANTI-. The album includes guest performances by a range of New Orleans musicians. Long-established performers such as Rebirth Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis of The Wild Magnolias, Allen Toussaint and Walter "Wolfman" Washington are represented, along younger performers in the traditional vein, such as Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry, John Boutté, Josh Cohen and Ryan Scully of Morning 40 Federation, and Glen David Andrews, and also Bounce artists Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia, Katey Red, and Sissy Nobby.[1][2][3]
Galactic released a live album in May, 2011 titled "The Other Side of Midnight: Live in New Orleans". This album includes live versions of many songs on "Ya-Ka-May". The band is expected to release a new studio album titled "Carnivale Electricos" in February, 2012.