After three Mardi Gras and Carnivale-themed releases, Galactic has once again invited a host of talented friends to join them on their latest LP, Into The Deep. The opening “Sugar Doosie” bursts with a wild and deep groove underneath the kind of airtight brass romp one might hear out their window during a New Orleans second line. From there, an eclectic array of collaborations are interspersed—including guests Ryan Montbleau, David Shaw of The Revivalists and JJ Grey—most notably, Macy Gray’s contribution on the title track stands out as Galactic’s most radio-accessible cut since 2010’s “Heart Of Steel.” Listeners looking for flashbacks to the early instrumental-leaning era of the NOLA ensemble’s career will dig the slinky, organ-driven funk of “Long Live the Borgne” and the swampy psychedelia of “Buck 77.” During “Right On,” Ben Ellman’s recognizable sax phrasing builds a rhythmic base and Charm Taylor, lead singer of NOLA’s The Honorable South, makes her presence known on the hard-hitting and soulful funk tune. (Ellman produced Into The Deep with Galactic bassist Robert Mercurio.) Finally, the soaring lead of the legendary Mavis Staples shines the brightest; the Memphis legend lends her iconic voice to “Does It Really Make a Difference.”