From the Corner To the Block

Last week in Boston I (somewhat unreasonably, don't tell my wife) splurged on a whole load of CDs when visiting Newbury Comics. One of these records is Galactic's latest album From the Corner to the Block. Having finally found the time to listen to it (don't you find it annoying that you can't load a CD on your iPod from a computer other than your primary? Guess I remember now why I'm not a big Steve "no-DRM" Jobs fan!), I wanted to share my first impressions with you.

I've talked about Galactic here in passing already, but I haven't reviewed any of their records (my favorite of which is and remains the awesome We Love 'em Tonight: Live at Tipitina's). In a way, From the Corner to the Block is both a result of the trend the band has been following lately and it's shift in audience, and a landmark release. Most of the songs feature singers from the hip-hop/urban scene, as opposed to the blues/soul vocals of resident vocalist Theryl 'Houseman' De Clouet. Since I don't know that scene, I can't tell you if these guys are famous or upstarts or considered good or bad. What I can tell you is that the combination of Galactic's legendary laid-back groove and hip hop vocals is a winner.

From the Corner to the Block rocks harder than previous Galactic releases I've heard, Stanton Moore's drumming is as sharp as ever, Ben Ellman's harmonica is a little more present than in previous releases (or maybe there's less of his sax playing) but overall, what makes this album is that marriage of groove and hip hop. One of the things I tend to dislike about most hip hop I've heard is the insistence on being backed by beatboxes and synths. Not only because I don't like them, but because they give the music a mechanical quality which is, to me, incompatible with groove.

Hip hop artists backed by musicians (as opposed to machines) like Saul Williams, Abd al-Malik here in France, Nya with Erik Truffaz or the harmonica-laden Ironie du Son from Switzerland make for a much groovier combination in my opinion. And this is what works for me here too. Boots Riley in particular has a delivery that works really well with Galactic's groove and when I saw them live in Paris he impressed me the most.

Check this out, whichever side of the fence you're from, it's well worth your while.

This is Hip-Hop Funk (Funk Hop?) that dazzles, a juxtaposition of an obscure New Orleans roots band with cult-like disciples with under-the-radar alterna-rap MCs which include the great Boots Riley (from The Coup) to the much-missed Ladybug Mecca (from the brilliant Digable Planets) to the obscure offbeat figure Chali 2na (from Jurassic 5) and even to the mainstream hometown boy Juvenile. Lyrically, these MCs tend to lean toward the racialy political, which is their right; it doesn't deter the dexterity and cements the relevence. Clearly the most thrilling Hip Hop CD of the year. My grade: A

Just got this one & I really like the new direction.
If you get the chance to see the new tour I highly recommend going.
I saw them perform alot of this album this last October @ The Voodoo Festival in NOLA & The late night show @ Tipitina's that night. I have seen Galactic live approx. 15 times starting in 1999, but only have 2 of their albums. Trust me they pull this new one off. They did a great job mixing alot of their classic stuff with the new album. Cant wait till they get to MPLS Next month for a show at the Cabooze!

Galatic is able to have new sounds, but keep the old groove. They still remain the masters of funk. This album will not disappoint, and for those of you who are new to Galatic...BUY IT!

If you thought "Ruckus" was a divergence away from Galactic's Roots, once you get an ear full of From the Corner to the Block, you will understand that Ruckus was simply a transition album...a mixture of vocal and instrumental, and that we have just scratched the surface of listening to what Galactic is capable of producing.

Be that has it may, if you are a rigid music listener and expect to hear the same redundant sounds, then in my humble opinion, you shouldn't even have the right to listen to Galactic. How do bands like U2, REM, Dave Matthews, Phish, and other "powerhouse" groups continue on after decades? It is because they experiment and adjust to the times...that's why! Galactic is not afraid to try new things, which is why they are rapidly becoming one of the best jazz/funk fusion jam bands of the 21st Century.

And, the infusion of hip hop/rap into Galactic's set is not so much of a radical change as it might be. Let's not forget that the genres of jazz, funk, and hip-hop all share common roots in their history and culture.

I for one welcome Galactic's new album...its fast, fresh, and creative.