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There’s a scene in the excellent HBO show Treme where Steve Zahn’s character based on Davis Rogan exasperatedly asks Kermit Ruffin’s “All you want to do is get high, play some trumpet and barbecue in New Orleans your whole damn life?” Kermit responds “That’ll work.” Galactic has taken that scene to musical heart with their latest group efforts, shining a special spotlight on their beloved New Orleans like only they can.
While the groups fantastic 2010 release Ya-Ka-May captured the current soundscape of the Crescent City perfectly, this time around with Carnivale Electricos they’re focused on Carnival Time down south. The album is dedicated to the party to beat all parties; Mardi Gras. The band uses all sorts of soulful sounds to paint the non-stop-get-down picture along with a bevy of home grown guests.
Big Chief Juan Pardo and the Golden Comanche sings things off with the fella’s as they sing “Ha Di Ka” over a gumbo of kicking beats, deep horns, bass bumps, organ vamps, piano runs…like the famous food of the town, it is hard to tell all the ingredients, you just know it tastes/sounds damn good. Casa Samba adds a more distinct Latin flair via “Magalenha” causing asses to bump and grind beneath call and response vocals ringing out over strings and percussion.
The sing-a-long ode to the locals (“Dancing on the ceiling/Getting high with all my Saints fans”) called “Hey Na Na” is sure to ring out from Decatur to Rampart with local talent David Shaw and Maggie Koerner helping. Cyril & Ivan Neville gets you “Out In The Street” strutting while Mystikal drops some lyrics making you “Move Fast” over Mannie Fresh’s beats. The band even manages to digitally funk up some zydeco on “Voyage Ton Flag” that grooves harder under some scratching movements.
Al Johnson recreates his famous “Carnivale Time” with Galactic supporting joyfully as the band revels in the town’s energy all over this party fueled outing. The parading brass band sound that is vital to the season is perfectly documented on “Karate” with the KIPP Renaissance High School Marching Band blaring tightly in lock-step.
Carnivale Electricos straight through represents one of the group’s famous Lundi Day concerts, playing the jambalaya funk til sun up. Galactic are already ambassadors to the town, but now they add one more staple to their collection and in doing so show the rest of the world just how vital New Orleans is to the sound of life.
