Galactic

Galactic seems to revel in knowing that funk and the myriad sounds associated with the band’s hometown of New Orleans—just like all other genres—boast complicated and messy histories that too often get standardized out of the mix. Hip-hop, fuzzed-up synths, and a tasteful measure of chaos sound as essential to the band as second-line brass attacks and the unshakable grooves of drummer Stanton Moore. Collaboration has a lot to do with it: The band has been paired with a bunch of different rappers (from Boots Riley to Juvenile), legends like Allen Toussaint, and younger artists from New Orleans’ “bounce” scene to aid in acts of expert, eclectic deconstruction. With help from The Neville Brothers’ Cyril and Ivan and a 140-piece high school marching band, Galactic keeps the rowdy party going with its brand-new album, Carnivales Electricos, which was released on—you guessed it—Fat Tuesday.

Updated 02/21/2012