Zach Deputy

New Releases:

Galactic - Carnivale Electricos CD - It's incredible that GALACTIC has never made a carnival album yet, but now it's here.

To make CARNIVALE ELECTRICOS, the members of GALACTIC (Ben Ellman, harps and horns; Robert Mercurio, bass; Stanton Moore, drums and percussion; Jeff Raines, guitar; Rich Vogel, keyboards) draw on the skills, stamina, and funk they deploy in the all-night party of their annual Lundi Gras show that goes till sunrise and leads sleeplessly into Mardi Gras day.

GALACTIC was formed eighteen years ago in New Orleans, and they cut their teeth playing the biggest party in America: Mardi Gras, when the town shuts down entirely to celebrate. CARNIVALE ELECTRICOS is beyond a party record. It's a carnival record that evokes the electric atmosphere of a whole city - make that, whole cities - vibrating together all on the same day, from New Orleans all down the hemisphere to the mighty megacarnivals of Brazil. Armed with a slew of carnival-ready guests--including Cyril and Ivan Neville, Mystikal, Mannie Fresh, Moyseis Marques, Casa Samba, the KIPP Renaissance High School Marching Band, and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (who remakes his all-time hit)--GALACTIC whisks the listener around the neighborhoods to feel the Mardi Gras moment in all its variety of flavors.

Coming Soon:

Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds - Pound of Dirt CD - Brooklyn's own Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds deliver an eclectic and timeless mix of gritty blues, soul, funk and garage rock. Led by the dynamic, soulful and sexy Arleigh Kincheloe and her brother Jackson on harmonica, SSDB are one of the must see live acts of 2012.

The tight-knight collective's nine endlessly talented musicians have performed alongside artists ranging from Dr. John and Wynton Marsalis to Beyonce and Hercules and Love Affair, creating an undeniably original and raucous sound that is at the core of the group s new album 'Pound Of Dirt,' out February 28th 2012 on Modern Vintage Recordings.

Carolina Chocolate Drops - Leaving Eden CD - North Carolina-based Carolina Chocolate Drops follow up their critically lauded label debut--2010's Grammy Award-winning Genuine Negro Jig, which reached #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers and Folk Charts--with Leaving Eden.

The Drops have toured year-round internationally since the band's inception, playing festivals such as Bonnaroo, SXSW, and Telluride and selling out concert halls and clubs. The band regularly receives critical accolades from publications such as the Seattle Times, which said "What a treat to bask in this Grammy-winning group's top-notch musicality, easy good humor and understated but sparkling showmanship with just the right dollop of historical background." And the Capital Times (Madison, WI) said, "The string band performed a joyful, high-energy show that had the packed, sweaty theater moving and cheering for the entire time. The band's sound is rooted in, and very reverent to, the traditional African-American string band sound of generations ago. But the attitude is anything but old-timey, as the band brought in hip-hop and soul elements, a no-holds-barred energy, and just a sense of playfulness to the songs."

Caravan of Thieves - Funhouse CD - Channeling pop bliss through their trademark lock-tight, turn-of-the-century, bang out a beat on anything that can take it approach, The Funhouse, (operative word: fun) which is soon-to-be-released on United For Opportunity, is exemplary of a band on the high road to musical perfection. The listener closes their eyes and can taste the bacchanalia and join the fete. Tunes like "Raise The Dead," the record's single, drive the point home with impressive lift, powered by soaring crescendos and inspired gang vocals, not to mention a lyric that invites the deceased to join in the fun. "Mexico" is a dark road ramble that will, at the very least, make you wanna dance around the room, if not run off yourself. "Candy" betrays the writer's addiction to the sweet confections that sounds like Vaudeville, but feels like The Beatles' "Savoy Truffle." And on it goes, the perfect soundtrack for your trip through the tunnel and into the light. If this album can't raise the dead, nothing will. (Features Fuzz from Deep Banana Blackout and Big Fuzz!)

Last Week:

SOJA - Strength To Survive CD - Highly-anticipated 2012 release produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, O.A.R). SOJA is an international touring machine having rocked theaters in more than 15 countries around the world. In the past year and a half alone, they've played more than 360 dates, on large headline dates in addition to tours opening for acts like O.A.R,, Dave Matthews Band and Matisyahu.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad- Country CD - With this release, the quintet has charted new territory and put together a lyrically-driven roots Americana album. Combining acoustic instrumentation including slide guitar, banjo, harmonica, upright piano, percussion, and bass, the album showcases songs as they were first created: on the road, riding in the van, and jamming backstage. The production of Country taps into that spontaneous rhythm, allowing the music to wash over listeners like a conversation between old friends.

Upcoming Events:

*March 22-25 - Suwannee Springfest - Live Oak, FL

*April 19-21 - Wanee Festival - Live Oak, FL

* Look for the HGMN Booth at this event!

Video of the Week:

Life Improvised: An Honest Tune Interview with Col. Bruce Hampton, Ret. (VIDEO)