It's shaping up to be a stellar year for celebrated New Orleans outfit Galactic. In 2010 the band released their groundbreaking new album Ya-Ka-May a visionary mix, intertwining New Orleans sounds from jazz to brass band to funk to bounce and far beyond. With this release, the five-man group comprised of drummer Stanton Moore, bassist Robert Mercurio, saxophonist/harmonica player Ben Ellman, keyboardist Richard Vogel, and guitarist Jeff Raines - reaffirms their status as the quintessential modern day New Orleans band and one of the funkiest outfits in the known universe.

Ya-Ka-May features all-new material generated by the band in collaboration with a stellar series of New Orleans guests, who range from iconic figures of the 1960s to the younger veterans to the underground. These invitees appear here outside their normal contexts and away from the sound you might typically associate with them, like putting a picture in a different frame. Guaranteed you know some of their names, but it's unlikely that you know them all, even if you live in New Orleans. At first listen you're bound to discover scorching talents from the worlds of music you know - jazz, brass bands, r&b, gospel, rock - and one you may not have encountered before: bounce.

Being immersed in all the various New Orleans music scenes, Galactic are in a unique position to bring them all together. On Ya-Ka-May (to be released Feb 9th, 2010 on Anti-), they have powerfully connected these genres, illuminating how they are all part of one distinct musical continuum. The album features established legends such as the Rebirth Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis, Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry, John Boutté, Josh Cohen and Scully, Glen David Andrews, and Walter "Wolfman" Washington alongside groundbreaking new "Bounce" artists like Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia, Katey Red, and Sissy Nobby,. The end result is New Orleans like it's meant to be heard, and pure Galactic.


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Probably the UK's most highly-regarded roots reggae outfit, Steel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass).

However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, 'Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku" arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with 'Nyah Love' for Anchor.

Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: "Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing".

Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.

By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of british reggae.

However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.

A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.

Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.

Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.

While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.

The band are still recording and touring.

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Best known for fronting the US Rock Band Living Colour, Corey Glover embarked on a diverse solo career after the band's 1994 split.

He is lead singer for the band VICE with Mike Ciro, and has two solo releases: 1998's Hymns, and 1999's Live at Wetland.

Most recently, he has taken on the role of Judas in the national touring company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, opposite Ted Neeley as Jesus.

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New Orleans traditional jazz fused with urban influences of baile funk, ska and hip-hop. Funk until you drop rhythms combined with blazing hot horns and party all night vocals.

Band members include: Lumar LeBlanc - snare drum; Derrick "Oops" Moss - bass drum/percussion; Edward Lee - tuba; Tannon "Fish" Williams - trumpet; Marcus "Red" Hubbard - trumpet; Paul Robertson - trombone; and Erion Williams - tenor sax

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