Juice is the newest addition to the healthy New Orleans funk scene, dominated most recently by Galactic. Hoping for some of Galactic’s local and national success, Juice adds what they call “junk rock” (a mix of jazz and funk) to the growing scene, along with several other younger bands like Iris May Tango. Juice is recently back .from a southern tour that included a New Years gig in Nashville.

The band consists of Dave Jordan (bass, vocals), Chris Dejohn (drums), Chris Mule (lead guitar), Brett Boagni (rhythm guitar), Jason Robin (percussion), and Jamie Galloway (harmonica). Their new self-produced record contains nine songs (three instrumentals)” nearly all written solely by Dave Jordan. Mark Mullins, Davis Rogan, and others make guest appearances.

“Fortified” opens the CD with the hard funk “The Forbidden Donut,” a James Brown/Maceo Parker influenced dance song with an inescapable Meters sensibility. The very talented Mark Mullins provides a swinging Fred Wesley styled trombone solo, and Brian Graber adds an inventive saxophone solo.

The second line drumming behind a lead vocal, and a circular guitar part on “The Laundry Song (Work to Do)” make for a driving party song performed by the core members of Juice. Jamie Galloway adds. a harmonica solo. “Whistle While You Work” also contains a harmonica solo, and organ solo, that’ give this song a Blues Traveler feel.

The hardest thumping songs are “Chicken Shack,” which extols the virtues of down home cooking and funky things in general-Chaddy 1 P.V.S. and Keng from Iris May Tango supply lead vocals. And “Hardwood,” a Meters-style instrumental jam. See Juice for a long night of funky dance music at the Maple Leaf.