- Galactic
Infobox musical artist
Name = Galactic
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin =New Orleans, Louisiana ,United States
Genre =Jazz Funk
Rock
Hip-Hop
New Orleans
Years_active = Early 1990s – Present
Label =Sanctuary Records ,ANTI- ,Fog City Records ,Capricorn ,Traffic (japan) ,Volcano
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Current_members = Robert Mercurio
Jeff Raines
Richard VogelStanton Moore
Ben Ellman
Past_members =Theryl DeClouet
Notable_instruments =Galactic is a
funk andjazz group fromNew Orleans ,Louisiana , United States.Origins and background
Originally formed in 1994 as an octet (under the name Galactic Prophylactic) and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to an instrumental sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist
Robert Mercurio , drummerStanton Moore , saxophonist Ben Ellman and Hammond organist Rich Vogel, later addingTheryl DeClouet on vocals.The group was started when Raines and Mercurio, childhood friends from the
Washington D.C. area, moved to New Orleans together to attend college atTulane and Loyola Universities , and became enamored of the local funk scene, populated by such legendary acts asThe Meters andDirty Dozen Brass Band and inspired by local legends such asProfessor Longhair . There they teamed with noted New Orleans drummerStanton Moore , saxophonist/harmonica (now producer) Ben Ellman, and Rich Vogel. In 2004, the band parted ways with vocalist DeClouet, and now continue as an instrumental group. They have been releasing ground breaking albums consistently since 1996. Many songs found on their latest album, titledFrom the Corner to the Block , include underground MCs widely regarded as elite and popular.Musical style
The band has developed a unique sound as a result of their influences, including: hip hop,
Go-Go , electronic,world music , rock,blues andjazz . Many of their songs include performances by other artists of various styles of music, like hip-hop artistsBoots Riley (ofThe Coup ), Gift of Gab (ofBlackalicious ) andChali 2na (ofJurassic 5 ). On the European version ofFrom the corner to the block there are two tracks more than on the US version. One of those tracks ("Valley Of Pain") features the German rapperDendemann .Evolution
Over the years, the band's sound has evolved from organic New Orleans funk to a more modern style, incorporating elements of hip hop, electronica, fusion, and jazz. This change has been largely characterized by the increased use of electronic effects on guitar, bass, saxophone, and drums. Drummer
Stanton Moore uses phrase samplers to sample a rhythm which he can then play over, producing intricate and layered drum sounds. Ben Ellman, saxophonist and harmonica player, often distorts his instruments to the degree that they sound similar to an electric guitar.Live performances
The band is also noted for inviting guest musicians from New Orleans to perform onstage with them. These include: the
Dirty Dozen Brass Band ,The Neville Brothers ,Brian Seeger ,George Porter ofThe Meters , andSkerik (a saxophone player who is actually based inSeattle, Washington , but is part of Stanton Moore's side projectGarage A Trois ), to name a few.The band is often on tour, and have shared the stage with acts including Live,
Counting Crows , theAllman Brothers Band ,The Roots ,Fusebox Funk ,Widespread Panic ,B.B. King ,Mike Doughty (formerly ofSoul Coughing ), Gift of Gab (ofBlackalicious ), andJurassic 5 .Future releases
Galactic's next album is set to include guest appearances from rappers including
Lyrics Born (an MC and producer from theQuannum Projects hip hopcollective ). According to Lyrics Born's Web site, the guest artist line-up featuringMC s,DJ s, and vocalists has already been determined, but it is being kept secret for the time being. However, Ben Ellman has said that all of the guest MCs at theirBonnaroo performance (Lyrics Born , Gift of Gab,Chali 2na ,Lateef , and Boots Riley) will be featured on the album.Galactic's most recent album, "
From the Corner to the Block " was released on August 21st, 2007.Lyrics Born 's Myspace page has stated that "In addition to LB, this record features an array of today's most innovative MC's, includingThe Coup 'sBoots Riley ,Digable Planets 'Ladybug Mecca , Juvenile,Jurassic 5 'sChali 2na ,Mr. Lif ,Lateef the Truth Speaker and Gift of Gab fromBlackalicious and more. The new album will also feature unique collaborative efforts withNew Orleans artistsBig Chief Monk Boudreaux ,Soul Rebels Brass Band andTrombone Shorty ."Discography
* "
Coolin' Off " -Fog City Records (1996)
* "Crazyhorse Mongoose " - Capricorn (1998)
* "Late for the Future " - Polygram (2000)
* "" - Volcano Records (2001)
* "Vintage Reserve " - Volcano Records (2003)
* "Ruckus" -Sanctuary Records (2003)
* "From the Corner to the Block " (2007)External links
* [http://www.galacticfunk.com/ Official web site]
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