From the Corner To the Block [Digipak]

Performer: Galactic
Artist: Lateef The Truth Speaker; Lyrics Born; Gift Of Gab; Ohmega Watts
Engineer: Ben Ellman; The Count
Producer: Ben Ellman; The Count; Ben Ellman; Galactic; Count
Distributor: Alternative Dis. Alliance

Notes: Galactic: Robert Mercurio (bass guitar); Jeff Raines, Stanton Moore, Ben Ellman, Richard Vogel. Personnel: Jeff Raines (guitar); Ben Ellman (harp, horns); Richard Vogel (keyboards); Stanton Moore (drums). Additional personnel: Brian Wolff (tuba); Soul Rebels Brass Band, Gift of Gab, Trombone Shorty, Juvenile, Ladybug Mecca, Lateef the Truth Speaker, Lyrics Born, Mr. Lif, Ohmega Watts, Vursatyl, Z-Trip, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Nino Moschella, Boots Riley, Chali 2na. Audio Mixer: The Count . Illustrator: Edward Ubiera. New Orleans' ambassadors of jazz-funk continue to deliver unassailable grooves on 2007's FROM THE CORNER TO THE BLOCK. This time around, however, there's a twist to the formula: the band invites MCs to guest on a number of tracks, resulting in an organic, pulsing hip-hop extravaganza that rivals the early days of the Roots. The approach works well, thanks to the quality and variety of the MCs, who include Juvenile, Lyrics Born, Digable Planets' Ladybug Mecca, and Gift of Gab from Blackalicious. Galactic's sophisticated funk is the perfect complement to FROM THE CORNER's cornucopia of rhymes, and should please a wide swath of R&B, funk, and hip-hop fans.

Rolling Stone (p.68) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "The title track is all home brew -- NOLA's growling Juvenile and the brass spikes of the Soul Rebels Brass Band atop Galactic's dublike jump." Spin (p.129) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[W]ith chunky wah-wah guitars, chugging rhythms, and beats so tightly action-packed that they could be the soundtrack to a sleek Hollywood crime frolic." Alternative Press (p.172) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his is a fine and successful experiment that'll kick-start any social gathering." Vibe (p.137) - "[E]xuberant....['Sidewalk Stepper' is] a richly deserved spotlight turn..." Clash (magazine) (p.111) - "At a time when New Orleans rebuilds and re-energises, Galactic have made a concept album that, through each track, represents those fond memories of hanging on the corner. These days are positively remembered, while pushing sounds significant of a new chapter."

Mixing vintage, down-home New Orleans funk, and R&B with a hip-hop sensibility, Galactic have managed to appeal to traditionalists, new heads, and the jam-band crowd alike. Though Galactic's earlier sound is more straightforward in its appreciation of Crescent City grooves, beginning with 2003's RUCKUS produced by Dan the Automato, the band would directly incorporate elements of rap and turntablism, going on to work with artists such as Lyrics Born, Juvenile, and Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious). Though they've never been a huge presence on the charts, they have a devoted following built on strong musicianship, fearless creativity, and relentless touring.

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