New Orleans funk band Galactic is working on the follow-up to their 2003
release, Ruckus. The band has been co-writing tracks with a variety of
vocalists and MCs including Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na, Gift of Gab from
Blackalicious, Mr. Lif, Lyrics Born, The Coup’s Boots Riley, Lateef the
Truthspeaker, Ladybug of Digable Planets, and others. In addition, the
record will include various New Orleans icons including Mardi Gras
Indian Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews.
The hip-hop themed record will meld Galactic’s own New Orleans street
funk with some of today’s most progressive MCs, something the band has
experimented with in their live performances. Over the last several
years, the group has appeared with the likes of Lyrics Born, Talib
Kweli, The Roots, Jurassic 5, and Z-Trip. They also recently backed
Juvenile on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“Everyone in the band listens to a lot of hip-hop” says saxophonist Ben
Ellman. “We have always felt there is a natural connection between the
New Orleans funk and brass band music that has inspired our sound and
the rhythmic aspects of hip-hop. We wanted to push ourselves on this
record to do something really different. We felt it would be fun to make
an album with some of our favorite MCs with us as a foundation since its
always felt great when we’ve had the opportunity to do it live.”
The band is currently considering whether to put the record out on their
own imprint or through a label. They are targeting a late summer 2007
release.
