RIYL: Galactic, The Meters, Medeski Martin & Wood
One of the hardest working men in show business, Galactic drummer Stanton Moore is not the type to be content with merely releasing one of the best albums of the year with his regular band (Galactic’s Ya-Ka-May.) But while that album has some of the band’s most memorable songs in years, it dabbles in hip-hop and vocal tunes. There are probably some fans who may still prefer to hear “the redneck gangster” focus his sticks more on old school funky grooves. This is exactly what they’ll find on Groove Alchemy.
Moore is joined by longtime friends Robert Walter (Greyboy All-Stars) on organ/piano and Will Bernard on guitar for a very funky session, indeed. The album is part of an instructional book and DVD project where Moore explores the roots of classic funk drumming, which means a deep focus on what was coming from the Meters and James Brown’s band in the ’60s. The album was recorded at the increasingly trendy home studio of the Band’s Levon Helm in Woodstock, New York, which gives it a live vibe. But the sound is pure New Orleans.
Moore throws down all manner of funky beats, while Walter really goes to town on the Hammond B3 and Bernard comps out with his own funky stylings. The first couple tracks are typical Meters-style mid-tempo funk. “Pot Licker” then cranks it up a notch as Moore ups the tempo for some of his hottest work ever recorded. “Neeps and Tatties” also delivers some high-energy groovy funk, as Walter’s B3 and Moore’s drumming just go so well together. The best track might be “Knocker,” which features a super-groovy syncopated beat from Moore that instantly frees the body. Bernard adds some tasty wah-wah and Walter adds some of his best sounds too. All three elements really come together here to form that groove alchemy of the album’s title. “Shiftless” also features some superb up-tempo grooving from the trio.
There’s nothing too groundbreaking here, but all three of these guys are ace musicians, so it’s definitely a clinic in acid jazz funk. Fans of Galactic and the Meters will find plenty of what they love best. (Telarc 2010)
