Alto saxophonist Maceo Parker is no stranger to New Orleans music. He has graced countless stages during festivals and steamy late nights at Tipitina’s, bringing his swinging post-bop funk playing into the mix of some of the hottest bands on the scene. On Soul Food those New Orleans musicians pay it back to Maceo, making up the funkiest backing band he’s had since he left the Godfather himself, and the monumental JBs, where he earned his one-name identity.
Under the steady production hand of Andrew “Goat” Gilchrist some of New Orleans’ finest make Maceo shine like a silver dollar. The rhythm section is just drop-down awesome—Ivan Neville playing his nastiest organ fills and burning the groove; his bandmate from Dumpstaphunk Tony Hall laying down the fatback bass; and Dumpstaphunk’s Nikki Glaspie bouncing the super-elastic drums. Erica Falls is the background vocalist in the kind of performance that has everyone around town marveling at her skills. Mark Mullins is on trombone and so are his handful of nasty arrangements of New Orleans funk classics. No telling how many times these guys have played The Meters’ “Just Kissed My Baby” with various bands but they bring it here like it was love at first sight. The funk is thick as a January fog on the Mississippi and Maceo is gleeful playing his Charlie Parker-meets-Cannonball Adderley meltdown alto and more than holding his own on the lead vocals. It just goes from there to a smoking rendition of Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can” and Dr. John’s “Right Place Wrong Time,” which trombonist Mullins really decorates with his superb arrangement. Jason Mingledorff plays tenor and baritone and contributes the densely packed arrangement of Maceo’s own “Cross the Track.”
The band’s breadth is showcased on killer versions of Eugene McDaniels’ funk classic “Compared to What;” Prince’s “Other Side of the Pillow,” which Mullins gives an Oliver Nelson-style arrangement; and the album closer, the great Hugh Masekela vehicle “Grazing in the Grass.” But the absolute jaw-dropping moment on the album comes on Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady,” a song where the backing vocal steals the limelight from the lead. Erica Falls is the response to Maceo’s call, and when she sings “What it is, What it is, What it is!” it makes the hairs on the back of your neck whip to attention. “Rock,” she answers Maceo. “Steady” she proclaims, and the band rolls into trombonist/arranger Steve Sigmund’s fanfare. This record bears many, many, repeated listenings. It may even cure what ails you.
