Galactic

Galactic drew from the rich funk, R&B, and jazz heritage of their New Orleans roots to cultivate a devoted audience through their distinctive jam-oriented grooves. The six-piece ensemble, which emerged during the mid-'90s under co-founders guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio along with acclaimed drummer Stanton Moore, took cues from the Meters, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Maceo Parker, and Parliament; those influences surfaced clearly on their 1996 release Coolin' Off and the 2000 follow-up Late for the Future. Always open to blending styles, the band expanded their palette with Brazilian rhythms on Carnivale Electricos in 2012 and forged ties with both peers and veterans such as Mavis Staples and Macy Gray on 2015's Into the Deep. Vocal-driven partnerships likewise drove Already Ready Already in 2018 and the 2023 set TCHOMPITOULAS.

Childhood friends Jeff Raines on guitar and Robert Mercurio on bass, both originally from Chevy Chase, Maryland, conceived Galactic in 1994 after relocating to New Orleans for studies at Tulane and Loyola Universities. There they immersed themselves in the city's funk, jazz, and R&B circuits and decided to assemble their own group. What began as an eight-piece unit eventually tightened into a sextet that included Raines, Mercurio, organist Rich Vogel, saxophonists Ben Ellman and Jason Mingledorff, and drummer Stanton Moore. With vocalist Theryl DeClouet on board, the band developed a passionate local following through relentless live performances, including support slots for the Meters, longtime James Brown saxophonist Maceo Parker, and the kindred jazz group Medeski, Martin & Wood. Galactic unveiled their first album, Coolin' Off, in 1996. Crazyhorse Mongoose appeared two years afterward, after which Mingledorff departed.

The boisterous and wide-ranging Late for the Future surfaced in 2000, while the electronically flavored Ruckus arrived in 2003. From the Corner to the Block came out in 2007 and spotlighted contributions from Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Mr. Lif, and DJ Z-Trip. During the same stretch the group participated in the Hurricane Katrina benefit collection A Celebration of New Orleans Music to Benefit the Musicares Hurricane Relief and the Fats Domino tribute Goin' Home. They also issued live recordings documenting their New Orleans Jazz Fest appearances in 2008 and 2009.

Galactic re-emerged in 2010 with the expansive Ya-Ka-May, an effort that paid tribute to New Orleans' musical legacy through appearances by Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis, the Rebirth Brass Band, and Walter "Wolfman" Washington. The band then ventured into Brazilian territory on 2012's Carnivale Electricos, merging NOLA funk and second-line bounce with those rhythms. Supporting cast members included Cyril and Ivan Neville, rappers Mystikal and Mannie Fresh, Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Juan Pardo, the KIPP Renaissance High School Marching Band, and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.

Galactic joined the Provogue roster in May 2015 and delivered Into the Deep. Co-produced by Ellman and Mercurio, the record featured vocalists Macy Gray, Mavis Staples, and Maggie Koerner, plus the single "Right On" with soul singer Charm Taylor. The band remained busy in subsequent years, maintaining a touring schedule and returning to New Orleans Jazz Fest.

The single "Hold On to Let Go" surfaced in 2018 and was followed weeks later by the twenty-four-minute album Already Ready Already, which contained eight concise new tracks and guest vocalists Princess Shaw, Miss Charm Taylor, David Shaw, Nahko, Erica Falls, and BOYFRIEND. The pop-tinged single "Float Up," spotlighting vocalist Anjelika Jelly Joseph, arrived in February 2020 and later appeared on the 2023 EP TCHOMPITOULAS alongside collaborations with Cimafunk, Eric Biddines, Eric Gordon, and Glen David Andrews.