When Galactic released From the Corner to the Block in 2007, they fully embraced hip-hop as an inseparable element in their sound for good. That said, Ya-Ka-May's 15 tracks (named appropriately enough for an Afro-Orleanian soup of Asian origin that can be made with any meat you have around, noodles, hardboiled egg, green onion, and any array of spices) are more rooted in the diverse musics of post-Katrina New Orleans than on any record they've previously issued. There are more vocals than on any previous Galactic record -- ...
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When Galactic released From the Corner to the Block in 2007, they fully embraced hip-hop as an inseparable element in their sound for good. That said, Ya-Ka-May's 15 tracks (named appropriately enough for an Afro-Orleanian soup of Asian origin that can be made with any meat you have around, noodles, hardboiled egg, green onion, and any array of spices) are more rooted in the diverse musics of post-Katrina New Orleans than on any record they've previously issued. There are more vocals than on any previous Galactic record -- but the album is better for it. Such Crescent City institutions as Big Chief Bo Dollis, Irma Thomas, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty, Corey Henry, and the Rebirth Brass Band are present alongside more modern -- and lesser-known but no less talented -- singers like John Boutté and Glen David Andrews. Hip-hop touches everything here -- even Boutté's bluesy "Dark Water," which is flavored with bowed cellos and popping snares. Same with Thomas' performance on "Heart of Steel," where skittering hip-hop and breakbeat funk grooves are sampled against her trademark deep soul vocal, as enormous electric guitars vamp over a snarling, rumbling bassline and a lonesome blues harmonica that flits through the mix. Bone-crunching bounce hip-hop is represented by the pantheon of the New Orleans gay/drag underground sissy rap scene (their term) with Cheeky Blakk's wild, anthemic gay rap "Do It Again," "Double It" by Big Freedia, and Katey Red and Sissy Nobby on the dirty bounce of "Katey vs. Sissy." The bounce tracks are simply brutal; Galactic fold themselves musically and inventively into the extremely repetitive rhythm tracks, and play them live while adding samples for atmosphere to highlight the raps and extend the tunes into other realms. On "Bacchus," Toussaint's voice and piano are layered with reverb amid gospelized soul, second line, and R&B in the sampled horn charts. "Boe Money," with the Rebirth Brass Band, carries within it hints of post-bop jazz, second-line strut, and funky butt groove. Yet Ya-Ka-May is not merely a collaborative amalgam of tracks, but rather a unified whole reflecting NOLA's musical vitality and reveling in it all simultaneously; it's the sound of a musical community being itself for itself, while screaming -- in full party mode -- into the world that it's alive and evolving. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
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Add this copy of Ya Ka May to cart. $4.05, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Anti-.
Add this copy of Ya-Ka-May to cart. $4.05, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Anti.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Ya-Ka-May to cart. $4.10, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Anti-.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
