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Funksters Galactic (and friends) rode north from the dirty south to park themselves at the fantastic Brooklyn Bowl for four nights of gigs to close out May and start June in the city. Each night featured a different opener who would inevitably contribute to the main acts stage and in tonight’s case vice versa.
The Dead Kenny G’s are a whirlwind of chaotic sound fronted by the suicidal saxophone of Skerik with Brad Houser on bass/baritone sax and Mike Dillon on all sorts of percussion. The group attacks you with an aggressive death metal flair and makes jazz feel fucking dangerous. The title track from the bands newest release Gorelick was ferocious as the “Precious Pied Piper blew to save his breath”. “Kill The Poor” had screeches and a punk rock vibe while “Black Death” raged against the oil companies over a cacophony of blasts. Their Mr. Bungle style was exhilarating and Stanton Moore couldn’t sit in the back any longer, joining the trio on drums for the set closer.
After an elongated break which was perfect to grab some fantastic fried oysters and deviled eggs from the kitchen, Galactic came out with Mike Dillon sticking around to play percussion the full set. Continuous guests is the trick that elevates Galactic above other funk acts, and having Corey Henry from The Rebirth Brass Band on Trombone and Living Color front man Corey Glover singing for recent tours has made them a must see. The bands circular jams were in full effect as each member got loose taking solos, but when it came time for Moore to slap the skins, it turned into a rollicking duet with Dillon firing fast on hand drums.
A harmonica laced trippy groove jam turned into the surprise of the night as Glover put on his best Robert Plant and the group attacked “Kashmir”. It was a thrilling climax inducing moment that the crowd ate up and even got Moore to partake in some stand-up drumming. A slow tempo jam that followed was ill advised as the energy was lost, just leave it to guest Skerik to raise the level as he came blowing in. Not to be out done the percussion picked up with a staggering five drummers on stage; percussion was the obvious theme on this night.
Continuing to pour fourth guests, The Soul Rebels Brass Band crowded onto the stage and along with Henry performed “Gimme My Money Back” in a style that would have made the Wu Tang Clan proud. The group then played the classic “Carnival Time” but for some reason used a drum machine on the track, not quite sure why, but the band has immaculate taste in guests and you can be sure it will be a festive carnival time whenever Galactic come to town and throw down.
