Galactic and Macy Gray
Popular modern New Orleans funk outfit Galactic comes to the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on its current co-headlining tour with '90s neo-soul singer Macy Gray Saturday.
Galactic formed in New Orleans in 1994 and soon started bringing their infectious brand of syncopated grooves to clubs all over the country. Originally an eight-piece, the group soon pared down to an instrumental sextet comprising guitarist Jeff Raines, organist Rich Vogel, bassist Robert Mercurio, saxophonists Ben Ellman and Jason Mingledorff and phenomenal drummer Stanton Moore.
Later adding Crescent City music scene vet Theryl deClouet on vocals, Galactic built a fervent local following that soon spread across the nation on the strength of a relentless touring schedule over the next several year. Though deClouet departed the ranks in 2004, some would argue that the band's instrumental prowess was always its greatest strength.
The group's varied output has moved from the kinetic mix of traditional New Orleans grooves and modern hip-hop featured on the band's album From the Corner to the Block (which offered up collaborations with such luminaries as Juvenile, Jurassic 5 alum Chali 2na, Blackalicious' Gift of Gab, Ladybug from Digable Planets and DJ Z-Trip) to Ya-Ka-May, their collaborative Anti- Records album from 2010 with guests ranging from Big Easy legends like Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis and Allen Toussaint as well as groundbreaking new "bounce" artists Cheeky Blakk and Katey Red.
While the group's past few tours since the release of Carnivales Electricos in 2012 have featured special guest vocalist Corey Glover of Living Colour fame, this time around the band will be sharing the stage with noted neo-soul singer Macy Gray. Best known for her Grammy-winning 1999 hit "I Try" which made her debut album On How Life Is a global smash, Gray's evocative voice and unique delivery have long made her a fan favorite. She and Galactic will both perform full sets while collaborating onstage for some songs.
Galactic and Macy Gray
Saturday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. $39.50-$69.50
The Mountain Winery