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Papa Grows Funk: Needle in the Groove

Self-released

Having developed their sound as a veteran live band on the NOLA club scene in the friendly confines of joints like the Maple Leaf and Tipitina’s, Papa Grows Funk delivers an LP brimming over with pop awareness and wellcrafted, down home grooves. The forward-churning momentum that the band has experienced recently beams through during self-conscious declarations, and is most apparent on “Make It Right Now,” a song organically built atop saxophonist Jason Mingledorff’s tenor solo. Led by John “Papa” Gros’ B3 rolls and the downright incendiary axe work of local June Yamagashi, wordless portions like the blithe and cheery instrumental chorus “Out of the Mud” stand out as much any verse on the record. Calling in outside forces like Allen Toussaint and Tom Drummond to co-produce could’ve made for inconsistencies, but instead, the decision delivered a cohesive, ambitious and self-defining record that captures the energy of the band’s live show.