Flyin' the Koop

Amazon.com
Stanton Moore has been one of Galactic's primary members for years, but here on his second solo effort the drummer goes out on his own with groove heavies such as bassist Chris Wood and saxophonists Karl Denson and Skerik. The four roar through a program of bouncing originals, mostly co-composed with the players, that owe just as deep a debt to the Meters as Grant Green. Steering this funk bus from the drum chair, Moore keeps things moving with a loose-limbed style that sounds casual but is consistently on the mark. The players skew the funk-jazz formulae plenty, with Skerik in particular kicking up a racket at times. In comparison, Denson seems to be in a verbosely bop mood that works nicely as counterpoint. Bringing the proceedings down to a gentle shuffle, "Amy's Lament" is a slow military march that sounds like Moore took it from a funeral-parade songbook. Overall, however, Flyin' the Koop is an upbeat affair that delivers everything you'd hoped for from this crew, and more. --Tad Hendrickson

Tracks:

Tang the Hump
Fallin' Off the Floor
Let's Go
Launcho Diablo
Prairie Sunset
Things Fall Apart
Amy's Lament
Magnolia Triangle
Hunch
Bottoms Up
For the Record
Organized Chaos

Amazon.com

Stanton Moore has been one of Galactic's primary members for years, but here on his second solo effort the drummer goes out on his own with groove heavies such as bassist Chris Wood and saxophonists Karl Denson and Skerik. The four roar through a program of bouncing originals, mostly co-composed with the players, that owe just as deep a debt to the Meters as Grant Green. Steering this funk bus from the drum chair, Moore keeps things moving with a loose-limbed style that sounds casual but is consistently on the mark. The players skew the funk-jazz formulae plenty, with Skerik in particular kicking up a racket at times. In comparison, Denson seems to be in a verbosely bop mood that works nicely as counterpoint. Bringing the proceedings down to a gentle shuffle, "Amy's Lament" is a slow military march that sounds like Moore took it from a funeral-parade songbook. Overall, however, Flyin' the Koop is an upbeat affair that delivers everything you'd hoped for from this crew, and more. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Nice groove.......2006-10-18

I always like records where the drummer is the featured artist and this one confirms it. The only possible complaint is that some tracks remiond you of other tracks a little too much but I still recommend adding this to any collection. It always puts a smile on my face.

Stanton Moore, Flyin the Koop.......2006-04-12

There are a bunch of cats out there taking jazz, fusing it with funk and bringing it to new levels. MMW started it out, but now so many artists followed their path, now it's a new genre. Jam Band-Jazz-Funk

Stanton Moore is the drummer for the funk group Galactic, and on this occasion, he took several great musicians, got them together, and jammed. The result.....? An endless oppurtunity and never ending ideas of beauty and obscurity.

Chris Wood of MMW is in good company. I think he is only of the best bassists on the scene today. Especially, his up-right bass playing is totaly new and unlike most people playing today.

Stanton Moore is an important cat. He can smoke the drumset and his music is going places! Count me in as a fan..

One of best albums of this genre........2003-10-22

This is simply a wonderful album, and I can't imagine any fan of jazz/funk/fusion not liking it. Another reviewer commented on how much his 2-year daughter likes this album, and I'm not surprised. The melodies are fantastic, but are often quite simple and instantly enjoyable. I've played this album for a few friends who don't listen to this type of music, and they've all liked it. Some people might think it's not flattering to describe the melodies as simple, but in many ways Stanton Moore's compositions remind me of Miles Davis during the middle of his career. There is an outstanding sense of mood and melody, and the various instruments all add layers of texture without ever getting in the way of each other. And as other reviewers have mentioned, all of the band members are excellent and the recording quality is top notch.

Unbe-fricking-lievable.......2003-05-24

I like Galactic, but I don't really listen to it much - their studio albums are a little understated (even Live at Tipitina's doesn't sound this good). But this one takes that jazzy funk and kicks it up a notch. It reminds me of Charlie Parker-type jazz; it sounds like a carefree jam session. The kind of music that just makes me smile. The production is great - the bass drum and stand-up bass reverberate so well I dropped my jaw when I first listened to it on my headphones. Absa-smurf-ly beautiful.

out of hand!.......2003-03-20

stanton moore and chris wood are at the top of their game here. wood's mingus-like tone is hard to match. AMAZING! so funky. a booty shaking good time.

Tracks:

Tang The Hump
Fallin ' Off The Floor
Let's Go
Launcho Diablo
Prairie Sunset
Things Fall Apart
Amy's Lament
Magnolia Triangle
Hunch
Bottoms Up
For The Record
Organized Chaos
French Lick

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

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