Galactic Recording Hip-Hop Record

Galactic has performed with hip-hop acts for years and their current tour is no different, with Lateef the Truthspeaker as well as J-Live performing on a few selected dates.

Text below lifted directly from GlideMagazine.com.


Galactic Recording Hip-Hop Album With Plenty Of Collabs

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.

Charity Auction for Sudan

Waxploitation, Inc. has launched a Charity Auction for Sudan with 100% of proceeds going to Oxfam, Human Rights Watch and the Save Darfur Coalition. Bidding for some items ends today, though several auctions will be open through Sunday, 1/28. Items up for bid through the week include cds, posters, and vinyl signed by artists such as ?uestlove, Dangermouse, Talib Kweli, Common, Kanye West and several others.

Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi: “Even though Darfur has become a prominent issue, it’s important we don’t forget that it’s a dire crisis there that is getting worse. We can’t assume the attention Darfur is getting is the same thing as assistance. Real help is as crucial now as it ever was.”

What It Is!

After that short JB tribute, this box set is perfect for some "under the radar" funk and soul grooves from years past. My favorite Xmas present of 2006... thanks Dane.





30 second teasers:

Funky to the Bone - Freddi/Henchi & the Soul Setters
8 Days on the Road - Howard Tate
Cold Bear - The Gaturs

Listen to Some Godfather

Courtesy of the Paris DJs, here's a nice James Brown mix with just a few tracks that you may not have heard before. Other groovy podcasts available on their site as well.