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Galactic – Ruckus - When

Released on 17 November 2003

Galactic are a six piece funk outfit out of New Orleans, who over the years have formulated a range of stimuli,from jazz, soul, rock, hip hop and electronic. Known worldwide for a hard hitting live performance with groove ridden funk and soul. They have opened for the Meters and Maceo Parker. This is the latest studio album produced by Dan The Automator Nakamura. Www.galacticfunk.com

It is the instrumentation on this album that particularly hits home with me. Vocal tracks like Bittersweet do nut cut it with me, and I regret to say that I do not find it particularly soulful at all. The best are where it is toned down a touch, like Never called you crazy. A fine jazzy vibe to Uptown Odyssey but with unspectacular vocal. Tenderness is a passable ballad.

However they do cut a groove and the lazy, but tight New Orleans funk with a hint of Blues on Bongo Joe surely does. Other tracks have this more mellow delivery and I feel this is where they excel, these cuts certainly have more 'feel' to them. Paint is such a track where the disguised vocals work better and overall there is a kind of trip-py trance-y feel. Gypsy fade has more than a touch of Blues.

There are loads of influences in evidence and maybe they try too hard, The Moil introduces a kind of heavy bassed disco and a bit of rock

A mixed album, some fine funky grooves but the diversity works against them I'm afraid.

GALACTIC
Ruckus - When Records

released:  11/17/2003
Cat No: WENCD212

barcode: 5050159 023028
Track Listing:

New Orleans has been synonymous with the funkiest in black music since the start of the 20th century. That still rings true 100 years later, as Galactic have proved with their heady blend of futuristic funk, hip-hop, blues and electronica. Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura was recruited to produce their latest album, to ensure that their live vibe was translated in full onto disc. Ruckus illustrates why the New York Times called Galactic's sound "some of the most danceable music on earth".



 

 

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