Galactic
Tchompitoulas
***and1/2 out of *****
Over the years Galactic has morphed styles and genres as the New Orleans group easily moved between being the focus, or supporting act, to many of the cities brightest. That gamut running style continues on their newest EP, creatively titled Tchompitoulas.
The 6 song outing touches on different genres as the group flexes their musical muscle and invites more friends to join in. Galactic anchors the sound but shift with ease, the opening "Big Whiskers" is the only cut with just the core band, (Robert Mercurio, Jeff Raines, Richard Vogel, Stanton Moore, Ben Ellman, Shamarr Allen) and it pumps deep funk and ripping guitar riffs.
The first guest on the scene is Eric Biddiness as the MC drops his flow all over the hip hop beats (which owe a debt to "No Diggity") on a track titled "Making Cents". Galactic always work well backing MC's and this is no exception, the muted trumpet's add a nice touch. Speaking of trumpets, Eric Gordon blows his way excellently into the EP's instrumental title track, perhaps the strongest effort here.
The other big highlight is the pop showcase for Anjelika Jelly Joseph titled "Float Up" which allows the vocalist to shine brightly over the r&b influenced beats. That style sticks around, as does Joseph who duets with Afro-Cuban vocalist Cimafunk, blaring through the funky track "Ready For Me".
The group wraps up with second line percussion and modern day electro blues as Glen David Andrews maps out the lines from "Ny to Nola" with prisons and pain linking the two great towns. A quick joint, Tchompitoulas is another feather in the cap for the fluid group as they stay on the forefront of modern New Orleans music and beyond.
_____________________
No comments:
Post a Comment