New Orleans Funk: The Meters' Groove

The Meters' minimalist grooves, born in 1965 New Orleans, forged a rhythmic identity that still echoes from Professor Longhair's 'Cuban tinge' to Snoop Dogg's 'Drop It Like It's Hot'.

Tracklist

  1. Cissy Strut — The Meters
  2. Funkify Your Life — The Meters
  3. Drop It Like It's Hot — Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams
  4. New Orleans — Trombone Shorty
  5. Big Chief — Professor Longhair
  6. Raise the House — Dumpstaphunk
  7. Get Out of My Life, Woman — Lee Dorsey
  8. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya — Dr. John

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Good morning — let's get into it.

Cissy Strut — The Meters

The Meters, formed in New Orleans in 1965, pioneered a distinctive blend of syncopated 'second line' rhythms and minimalist grooves. This sound solidified the city's rhythmic identity, as heard on their instrumental hit, "Cissy Strut."

Funkify Your Life — The Meters

Drummer Joseph 'Zigaboo' Modeliste is widely recognized for his iconic drum grooves, emphasizing syncopation and the 'one' beat. Bassist George Porter Jr. noted, 'There was holes in the music, there was always space.' This unique approach built the foundation for New Orleans funk, evident in tracks like "Funkify Your Life."

Drop It Like It's Hot — Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams

The Meters' minimalist, interlocking grooves profoundly influenced countless musicians. Their work has been extensively sampled in hip-hop, proving their enduring impact on global popular music, a legacy felt even in later hits such as "Drop It Like It's Hot" by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams.

New Orleans — Trombone Shorty

The city's rhythmic identity, pioneered by The Meters, continues to inspire. Trombone Shorty, who describes New Orleans as 'a big musical gumbo,' carries this heritage forward, celebrating the enduring sound in his own work, including his track "New Orleans."

Big Chief — Professor Longhair

Before The Meters, Professor Longhair was a major influence on New Orleans R&B and funk piano, admired by Art Neville and Allen Toussaint. His unique Afro-Cuban infused rhythms, often referred to as the 'Cuban tinge,' laid a crucial groundwork for the city's distinctive sound, as heard on "Big Chief."

Raise the House — Dumpstaphunk

The Meters' legacy is celebrated through contemporary acts like Dumpstaphunk, descended from Neville and Meters family bloodlines. They ignite a deep, gritty groove that echoes the original sound, ensuring the tradition thrives, much like George Porter Jr.'s current band Runnin' Pardners, on tracks such as "Tell Me What's on Your Mind." This is "Raise the House."

Get Out of My Life, Woman — Lee Dorsey

Beyond their own recordings, The Meters were a highly sought-after rhythm section for other artists. Their distinct sound provided the backdrop for Lee Dorsey's hits, showcasing their versatility and deep impact on New Orleans R&B, as heard on "Get Out of My Life, Woman."

Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya — Dr. John

The Meters' role as session musicians extended to legendary figures like Dr. John, further solidifying their pervasive influence across genres. Their contributions to records such as "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" demonstrate how their rhythms became synonymous with New Orleans music.

Thanks for joining us on OffStereo. May the undeniable, collective heartbeat of New Orleans funk forever find its way into your own rhythm.