CD Review/Papa Grows Funk/Doin’ It (Independent)
by Christopher Blagg • offBEAT • May 2001
It’s tough being a funk band from
New Orleans. From a historical perspective you’re inevitably compared
to the deified Meters, and nowadays, you’ve got to play sloppy
seconds to Galactic. Is there room for yet another contender? Well, if
you put together veterans like organist John Gros, drummer Russell Batiste,
guitarist June Yamagishi, and bassists Marc Pero and Peter V, you do
get some mighty stiff competition for the funk throne.
What’s great about Papa Grows Funk, and their debut album Doin’ It,
is that while they are firmly rooted in the funk tradition, they are not
afraid to venture off into rock, blues or even swamp territory. These forays
out of the funk language are no mere tokens, but are fully fleshed-out
compositions played with imagination and zeal. Augmented by the saxophone
of Jason Mingledorff, the band takes off on wonderful tangents of rhythm
on tunes like “Dimples,” “Slyncopate,” and “Fire
in the Garage.” “Junker Man” comes off like a swampy
gris-gris that will remind listeners of a certain Rebenack with John Gros
supplying the sandpaper vocals. If you are at all familiar with the New
Orleans live scene, you will no doubt recognize Russell Batiste’s
catchy “Ridin thru the Mountains” with its punchy horns and “Oh
Yeah!” shout chorus.
Taking a stellar guest turn throughout the album is trombonist Mark Mullins
of MuleBone and Bonerama fame. George Porter Jr. even drops by to add some
percussion. But, while every musician shines on this album, guitarist June
Yamagishi stands out. Whether playing scratchy funk rhythms or blazing
rock solos, Yamagishi continuously takes the band to the next level.
With Galactic now assuming nearly all the New Orleans funk spotlight, and
deservedly so, Papa Grows Funk is quietly and steadily building up its
live reputation and becoming a force to be reckoned with. Maybe a little
friendly competition is a good thing.