Galactic
Encyclopedia
Galactic is a funk
and jazz
jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana
, United States.
, 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.
, 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
.
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 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
.
.
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.
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States.
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 a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio, drummer Stanton MooreStanton Moore
Stanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
, Hammond organist Rich Vogel, Theryl DeClouet
Theryl DeClouet
Theryl DeClouet , also known as House Man, is a soul/R&B singer, best known as the former lead vocalist for the musical group Galactic. He appeared on the band's first four studio albums as well as a live release and a compilation before health concerns forced his departure from the band and its...
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
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
Universities, and became enamored of the local funk scene, populated by such legendary acts as The Meters
The Meters
The Meters are an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Meters performed and recorded their own music from the late 1960s until 1977...
and Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a New Orleans, Louisiana, brass band. The ensemble was established in 1977 by Benny Jones together with members of the Tornado Brass Band...
and inspired by local legends such as Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair was a New Orleans blues singer and pianist...
. There they teamed with noted New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore
Stanton Moore
Stanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
, 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.
Musical style
The band has developed a unique sound as a result of their influences, including: hip hopHip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
, rock, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. Many of their songs include performances by other artists of various styles of music, like hip-hop artists Boots Riley
Boots Riley
Boots Riley is an American musician, vocalist, writer, and public speaker most known for being the front man and producer of The Coup as well as the front man for Street Sweeper Social Club.-Biography:...
(of The Coup
The Coup
The Coup is a political hip hop group based in Oakland, California. It formed as a three-member group in 1992 with emcees Raymond "Boots" Riley and E-Roc along with DJ Pam the Funkstress. E-Roc left on amicable terms after the group's second album but appears on the track "Breathing Apparatus" on...
), Gift of Gab
Gift of Gab (rapper)
Gift of Gab is an American MC best known for performing in the Bay Area hip-hop duo Blackalicious with DJ Chief Xcel...
(of Blackalicious
Blackalicious
Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Sacramento, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel . They are noted for Gift of Gab's often "tongue-twisting", multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's "classic" beats...
) and Chali 2na
Chali 2na
Charles Stewart , better known as Chali 2na is an American rapper and hip hop artist, formerly associated with the groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli.-Early life:...
(of Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart , Dante Givens , Courtenay Henderson , Marc Stuart , and disc jockeys Mark Potsic and Lucas Macfadden...
). On the European version of From the Corner to the Block
From the Corner to the Block
From the Corner to the Block is the fifth studio album by the New Orleans-based jazz fusion/funk group Galactic. Unlike the group's other albums, From the Corner to the Block is a collaboration with various alternative hip hop musicians. It was produced by Count, Ben Ellman and Galactic.-Track...
there are two tracks more than on the US version. One of those tracks ("Valley Of Pain") features the German rapper Dendemann
Dendemann
Daniel Ebel, better known as Dendemann is a German rapper from Menden. He is known for his rough voice and his witty, wordplay-filled lyrics in which he mostly tells stories from everyday life.-Biography:...
.
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 MooreStanton Moore
Stanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
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 BandDirty Dozen Brass Band
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a New Orleans, Louisiana, brass band. The ensemble was established in 1977 by Benny Jones together with members of the Tornado Brass Band...
, The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana.-History:The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art , Charles , Aaron , and Cyril The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in...
, Brian Seeger, Corey "Boe Money" Henry George Porter
George Porter
George Hornidge Porter, Baron Porter of Luddenham, OM, FRS was a British chemist.- Life :Porter was born in Stainforth, near Thorne, South Yorkshire. He was educated at Thorne Grammar School, then won a scholarship to the University of Leeds and gained his first degree in chemistry...
of The Meters
The Meters
The Meters are an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Meters performed and recorded their own music from the late 1960s until 1977...
, and Skerik
Skerik
Skerik is an American saxophonist from Seattle, Washington. Performing on the tenor and baritone saxophone, often with electronics and loops, Skerik is a pioneer in a playing style that has been dubbed saxophonics. He is a founding member of Critters Buggin, Garage a Trois and Skerik's Syncopated...
(a saxophone player who is actually based in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, but is part of Stanton Moore's side project Garage A Trois
Garage A Trois
Garage A Trois is a quartet including drummer Stanton Moore, saxophonist Skerik, vibraphone and percussionist Mike Dillon and keyboardist Marco Benevento. They play a variety of music including rock, funk and jazz.- History :...
), to name a few.
The band is often on tour, and have shared the stage with acts including Live
Live (band)
Live is an American rock band from York, Pennsylvania, composed of Chad Taylor , Patrick Dahlheimer , and Chad Gracey . Lead singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk left the band in November 2009....
, Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, the Allman Brothers Band, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, Fusebox Funk
Fusebox Funk
Fusebox Funk is a Hip Hop/Funk band featuring horns, keys, strings and drums that formed in 2001, in Jacksonville, Florida. Fusebox Funk has been heard on the radio in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Mexico and most recently California....
, Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
, B.B. King, Mike Doughty
Mike Doughty
Mike Doughty is an American indie and alternative rock singer-songwriter. He led the band Soul Coughing in the 1990s, and in the 2000s, became a solo artist...
(formerly of Soul Coughing
Soul Coughing
Soul Coughing was a popular New York-based alternative rock band. The band found modest mainstream success during the mid-to-late 1990s. Soul Coughing developed a devout fanbase and have garnered largely positive response from critics. Steve Huey describes the band as "one of the most unusual cult...
), Gift of Gab
Gift of Gab (rapper)
Gift of Gab is an American MC best known for performing in the Bay Area hip-hop duo Blackalicious with DJ Chief Xcel...
(of Blackalicious
Blackalicious
Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Sacramento, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel . They are noted for Gift of Gab's often "tongue-twisting", multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's "classic" beats...
), and Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart , Dante Givens , Courtenay Henderson , Marc Stuart , and disc jockeys Mark Potsic and Lucas Macfadden...
.
As of 2010, the bands main guest vocalist has been Corey Glover
Corey Glover
Corey Glover is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of the hard rock band Living Colour.-Career:...
from the band Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
.
Most Recent Releases
Ya-Ka-May, Galactic's most recent studio album, was released on Feb 9, 2010 on ANTI-ANTI-
ANTI- is an American record label founded in 1999 as a sister label of Epitaph Records.While Epitaph's focus has shifted over the last decade from mostly punk rock, nowadays ANTI- has a more diverse roster, ranging from country , hip hop , reggae , Soul , folk , rap-rock , indie rock...
.
The album includes guest performances by a range of New Orleans musicians.
Long-established performers such as Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth Brass Band
The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans brass band. The group was founded in 1982 by tuba/sousaphone player Philip Frazier, his brother, bass drummer, Keith Frazier and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, and other school marching band members from Joseph S. Clark Senior High School in New Orleans’ Tremé...
, Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas is an American Grammy Award-winning soul and rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans"....
, Big Chief Bo Dollis of The Wild Magnolias
The Wild Magnolias
-History:A group calling itself the Wild Magnolias, participating in the local "Indian masking" traditions and performing New Orleans Mardi Gras music, extends at least back into the 1950s. The group's lead member was called the Big Chief, and at least three Big Chiefs are known to have headed the...
, Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet ", "Southern...
and Walter "Wolfman" Washington
Walter "Wolfman" Washington
Walter "Wolfman" Washington is an American singer and guitarist, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. While his roots are in blues music, he blends in the essence of funk and R&B to create his own unique sound....
are represented, along younger performers in the traditional vein, such as Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry, John Boutté
John Boutté
John Boutté is an American jazz singer based in New Orleans, Louisiana, who has been active since the mid 1990s. He is known for diverse music style that goes beyond jazz to R&B, gospel, Latin, and blues. He is the younger brother of the jazz and gospel singer Lillian Boutté.-Biography:Boutté was...
, Josh Cohen and Ryan Scully of Morning 40 Federation
Morning 40 Federation
Morning 40 Federation is a jazz, funk and rock band from the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. The band began in 1998 and cites influences of King Oliver, Tom Waits and Jon Spencer. The Morning 40 Federation disbanded after their last show at One Eyed Jacks on Toulouse Street in New Orleans . They have...
, and Glen David Andrews, and also Bounce
Bounce music
Bounce music is an energetic style of New Orleans hip hop music which is said to have originated as early as the late 1980s, but is typically believed to have begun with the 1991 single "Where Dey At" by MC T.Tucker and DJ Irv...
artists Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia, Katey Red, and Sissy Nobby.
Galactic Releases
- Coolin' OffCoolin' OffCoolin' Off is the first studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic.-Track listing:All tracks by Galactic#"Go Go" – 3:02#"Welcome to New Orleans" – 0:14#"Something's Wrong With This Picture" – 5:56#"Funky Bird" – 4:57...
– Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
(1996) - Crazyhorse MongooseCrazyhorse MongooseCrazyhorse Mongoose is the second studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic.The album reached a peak position of #24 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.-Track listing:All tracks by Galactic# "Hamp's Hump" – 3:45...
– CapricornCapricorn RecordsCapricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
(1998) - Late for the FutureLate for the FutureLate for the Future is the third studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic.The album reached a peak position of #4 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.-Track listing:#"Black Eyed Pea" – 3:46#"Baker's Dozen" – 4:18...
– Polygram (2000) - We Love 'Em Tonight: Live at Tipitina'sWe Love 'Em Tonight: Live at Tipitina'sWe Love 'Em Tonight: Live at Tipitina's is a live album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic. Recorded live at Tipitina's Uptown in New Orleans, LA.-Track listing:# Crazyhorse Mongoose – 6:35# Moog Marmalade – 5:20# Bobski/Jeffe 2000 – 2:48...
– Volcano Records (2001) - Vintage ReserveVintage ReserveVintage Reserve is a compilation album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic. It features tracks found on their three previous records, as well as two live, unreleased tracks.-Track listing:# Welcome to New Orleans – 0:14...
– Volcano Records (2003) - RuckusRuckus (album)Ruckus is the fourth studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic. It was produced by Dan the Automator.-Track listing:# "Bittersweet" – 3:29# "Bongo Joe" – 3:21# "The Moil" – 3:11# "Paint" – 3:19# "Never Called You Crazy" – 3:08...
– Sanctuary RecordsSanctuary RecordsSanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world...
(2003) - From the Corner to the BlockFrom the Corner to the BlockFrom the Corner to the Block is the fifth studio album by the New Orleans-based jazz fusion/funk group Galactic. Unlike the group's other albums, From the Corner to the Block is a collaboration with various alternative hip hop musicians. It was produced by Count, Ben Ellman and Galactic.-Track...
(2007) - Ya-Ka-May – Anti (2010) U.S. Billboard Chart #161
- The Other Side Of Midnight: Live In New Orleans – Anti (2011)
Other Appearances
- Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats DominoGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats DominoGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino is a 2007 tribute album by various artists to Fats Domino, issued by Vanguard Records.-History:In contrast to an earlier tribute album, That's Fats: A Tribute to Fats Domino , which mostly contained previously released cover versions, Goin' Home: A Tribute to...
- Vanguard RecordsVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
(2007). Performing Domino's "Going to the River", with Robbie RobertsonRobbie RobertsonRobbie Robertson, OC; is a Canadian singer-songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for his membership as the guitarist and primary songwriter within The Band. He was ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
and "So Long" with Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.
- Infamous 2Infamous 2Infamous 2, stylized as inFAMOUS 2, is a 2011 open world video game for the PlayStation 3 video game console developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Computer Entertainment...
(Video games soundtrack) - Sucker Punch ProductionsSucker Punch ProductionsSucker Punch Productions is an American production company founded in 1997 and based in Bellevue, Washington. It was an independent company until August 2011, but had worked exclusively with Sony Computer Entertainment since 2000. Sony acquired Sucker Punch on August 2, 2011.-History:In late 1999,...
and Sony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
(2011).
External links
- Official web site
- Galactic Brings its Space Funk to Revolution, New Times Broward-Palm Beach (January 6, 2009)