Customer Reviews

Ya-Ka-May [Vinyl]

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Funk has come,funk has gone and over time it's come disguised and other times full blown. Nontheless no matter what happens it somehow ends up back in New Orleans. The first time I heard Galactic was when they burst onto the scene with their excellent Meters-like debut album Crazyhorse Mongoose. Over the years they've adapted their sound more and more to the hip-hop/funk crowd with a lot psychedelic touches. This album comes full circle with all of that. This is a guest oriented recording but there's an interesting catch: most of the participants are going to be somewhat unknown and all come from the New Orleans area. The biggest known guests are Irma Thomas and needless to say Allen Toussaint (is it really possible to make ANY album in that city without him?) and both are tremendous highlites in Irma's bluesy jam of "Heart Of Steel" and the chugging funk of "Bacchus". Even though no one else on the album is a big name there are some great new funk tunes in "Cinermascope" and "Speaks His Mind". These songs bring it all together not just from some hip-hop style rhythms to the Sly Stone,Miles Davis and Norman Whitfield that inspired them. It may sound something like The Roots but their is a difference. These compositions are not only strong but never dwell in any way on "live music naturalness",a subject I've discussed many times in my reviews. There's excellent production throughout this entire album,from reverb to echo for some exciting funk sounds and not only that everything from blues,jazz even to the African style sounds that once came out of Congo Square. Even if it is a modern sound with some almost crunkish hip-hop influences here and there,even some profanity thrown in on "Do It Again" curtesy of Cheeky Blakk this album is an important reminder that funk is definately not the pure retro music it's often made out to be: that it's one of the most adaptable form of R&B from over the years and that it's always going to have something new to it and continue to offer the unexpected.

For the second time Galactic has invited guests along for their most New Orleans-centric album to date. Unfortunately, I found a majority of the album fell short this time (along with their last release). There are some great songs on here though I recommend..Boe Money (feat. Rebirth), Heart of Steel (feat. (the great!) Irma Thomas), Dark Water, & Do It Again. For the second time we are treated to a single (very short) instrumental by the band itself which is a disappointment. Having followed the band since their debut album Coolin' Off I'm looking forward to another album that is closer to their earlier releases.

I own most Galactic albums- but this is really different- very Hip-Hop centric- or New Orleans Bounce style.

I enjoy some songs more than others; but some of the language is pretty strong. There are about 2 really good songs- non hard core hip hop that are good. but then again this band makes their sound match who ever is going to be leading/vocalizing.

This is a fun album. I'll keep it brief. I love Galactic and you will almost always see a different version of Galactic when you see them live. But they are amazing, adaptable, mutable, ever-changing, and extremely talented. I love the ride they provide from Boe Money through Wild Man. Awesome 1st side.

But I flirted back and forth between 4 and 5 stars. This is a 4.5 star album. it's Galactic, and I want more vinyl from them. There's a couple tracks I don't care for, but 90% of the album I love. I don't need to hear a song where the only lyrics are "Hey M...er F...er hey M...er F...er hey hey". I have to turn off the record when that track starts (it's the last track on the vinyl). My son was dancing to the album, but now we have to turn it off. What up with that Galactic? If I wanted the cussing, I'd put on some Sam Kinison. I want the sweet instruments, the funk and the jazz...I want the talented band that seems to under-achieve just a little bit from stage to studio. On the stage, Galactic can carry a lineup; in the studio, they tend to rely on their guests too much.

First....buy this album! Sit back and enjoy. By this time, hopefully, Galactic will be playing in a town near you! If they are.....GO SEE THEM!! If they aren't, then start buying more albums, listen, and wait for them to come close to you! When you see Galactic you will truly be treated to a rare event! Galactic is one of those bands that is new yet spans generations with their talent and depth. This is evident from the singers that have toured with the band. It is currently Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers. (Yes, that Neville brothers) The band puts on a great show and keeps the audience grooving for the entire show. What else can be said, nothing, it must be experienced!

I really enjoy this album and all the styles it brought together. I have a few other Galactivc Albums (Late for the Future and Crazyhorse Mongoose) which I listen to from time to time but this one got about ten consecutive plays. I was looking for a new album to listen to that didn't sound like other music I'd been listening to recently and this fit the bill. Full of energy (horns certainly help with that).... the only issue I would have is with the repeating vulgarities in "Do it Again" which don't bother me but do influence who I could recommend this album to (and I need to be careful if the kids are around to skip those tracks).

I heard Heart of Steel on the radio and really liked it. When I found out it was by Galactic, I quickly went out and bought the album. It was only a $5 download, which is great. I prefer some of their earlier work better, and I always go for live shows over studio albums.

For $5 you can't go wrong though - check it out.

Apparently most of the fans from the "old days" don't appreciate progress. This album is great...it is soulful, funky, enthralling, and energizing. Don't get stuck in a rut -- this is talent and creativity. Go with it. I think the only one I could do without is Katey vs. Nobby and I wish there was a clean version (so the kids can listen to the whole album) but otherwise A+. I like the vocals, but would love an instrumental album with this intense feel too.

I was excited when I received word the new Galactic album was coming out soon. I have purchased every Galactic Album since band inception (and most band side projects and solo albums), plus I own many live recordings and have seen in concert over twenty times. I consider Galactic one of my favorite bands, but overall I was disappointed with the album as a whole. There are many great songs and guest singers on the album, however, there are many bad hip hop songs including offensive lyrics (hey Mother F. Hey Mother F.).

Please listen to song samples of every song before you purchase this album. I will admit that I prefer the older albums with strong instrumentals and the Houseman on vocals. One of my friends summed it up after the last album when they said "Galactic has turned into a back up band for mediocre Hip Hop artists."

Cold Norway just got a little bit warmer. This album is pure sweetness. Highly recommend all albums by Galactic