New Orleans funk band Galactic turns trip-hop

New Orleans trip funk kings, Galactic, are bringing their all-night neon lights and sporadic 5 a.m. freestyle hip-hop jam sessions to disk.

The band is co-writing their new album with a hot list of hip-hop artists, 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.

Galactic's live shows are known for appearances from artists like Lyrics Born, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Jurassic 5 and Z-Trip, but this is the first time the band will try to contain major hip-hop collaborations onto an album.

For the new release, they're also brining in Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, two local icons.

"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.”

Galactic hasn’t decided whether to put the record out on their own imprint or through a label, but expect a release later this summer.

Related Links:
Galactic official website
Galactic on Myspace
Fog World Records

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