It’s tough being a funk band in New Orleans. From a historical perspective you’re inevitably compared to the deified Meters, and nowadays, you’ve got to play sloppy seconds to Galactic.

Is there room for yet another contender? Well, if you put together veterans like organist John Gros, drummer Russell Batiste, guitarist June Yamagishi, and bassists Marc Pero and Peter V, you do get some mighty stiff competition for the funk throne.

What’s great about Papa Grows Funk, and their debut album Doin’ It, is that while they are firmly rooted in the funk tradition, they are not afraid to venture off into rock, blues or even swamp territory. These forays out of the funk language are no mere tokens, but are fully fleshed-out compositions played with imagination and zeal.

Augmented by the saxophone of Jason Mingledorff, the band takes off on wonderful tangents of rhythm on tunes like “Dimples,” “Slyncopate”, and “Fire In the Garage.” “Junker Man” comes off like a swampy gris-gris tune that will remind listeners of a certain Rebbenack with John Gros supplying the sandpaper vocals. If you are at all familiar with the New Orleans live scene, you will no doubt recognize Russell Batiste’s catchy “Ridin’ Thru the Mountains” with its punchy horns and “Oh Yeah” shout chorus.

Taking a stellar guest turn throughout the album is trombonist Mark Mullins of MuleBone and Bonerama fame. George Porter, Jr., even drops by to add some percussion. But, while every musician shines on this album, guitarist June Yamagishi stands out. Whether playing scratchy funk rhythms or blazing rock solos, Yamagishi continuously takes the band to the next level.

With Galactic now assuming nearly all the New Orleans funk spotlight, and deservedly so, Papa Grows Funk is quietly and steadily building up its live reputation and becoming a force to be reckoned with. Maybe a little friendly competition is a good thing.