There ain't no party like a Galactic party. Hailing from New Orleans, Galactic have been digging their own groove for about 20 years – Into the Deep is their eighth album to date – and their good-time funk, soul and jazz has found fans within and without the Crescent City.

Aside from infectious, hooky, gumbo-tastic jams which the Galactic gang spin with consummate ease, vocalists Macy Gray, Mavis Staples, Charm Taylor, JJ Grey and Ryan Montbleau bring sass, soul and extra sauce to the table.

Staples especially is electrifying, applying some righteous soulful hurt and emotional heft to Does It Really Make A Difference.

When the band let loose on their own instrumentals, though, you really see the ties that bind these superb musicians together, with the fantastic Sugar Doosie and Long Live the Borgne packing quite a punch.

galacticfunk.com