Since 2018, guitarist Joe Marcinek has delivered unique live shows under the title of Dead Funk Summit, bringing together Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band) for the ‘Dead’ and George Porter Jr. (The Meters) for the ‘Funk’. Now they enter the studio together for the first time, as Marcienck wrote eight originals for the group to get down with.
It is far from a trio effort, as Terrence Houston joins on drums and Michael Lemmler adds more keys to the mix (both play regularly with Porter). Perhaps most excitingly, Tony Hall also pops in, singing vocals on the opening two tracks. “Fever Dream” and “Still Got It”, the first two Joe Marcinek Band efforts to ever showcase lyrics/vocals.
While “Still Got It” is a fairly straight-ahead funky blues workout, “Fever Dream” goes a bit deeper, as a good groove propels things while Hall sings about the struggles musicians face in these trying times. Brian “BT” Thomas on trombone, Alex-Lee Clark on trumpet, Jared Sims on saxophone along with Seals organ and a great guitar outro from Marcinek himself, ramp up this standout offering.
The smooth running “Probably Nothing” is more what JMB is known for as the easy rolling funk and blues riffs are extended and could be jammed out into the wee hours. “Ethereal” brings a light touch while “Melmeter” pulls directly from the swamps of New Orleans with grooving deep funk.
The album ends with two tracks that highlight the guest musicians. “Melvin” is a bright sun shining jaunt around Seals’ major organ phrasing as Taylor Galbraith subs in on drums and Ashley Galbraith hops on bass respectively. The album closer “George” is a burning funk excursion with some serious drumming from dynamo Houston that needs to be witnessed. Title bassist Porter goes deep on the groove and the gloriously warbling guitar lines from Marcinek color the excellent effort; the track is a showcase of all of the musicians top notch chops but also holds together as a collective outing.
All of these musicians make their bones in the live setting, and now with Dead Funk Summit, the Joe Marcienck Band has original offerings to add to the mix of their Grateful Dead-inspired jamming and Meters-laced grooves.
