Stanton Moore

With a title like Groove Alchemy, you may think of the stoic pretentiousness and anal retentiveness of a music clinic from hell. Indeed, this album is part of a bigger project that includes a book and DVD, serving to instruct on drummer Stanton Moore's technique and collaborative approach. Have no fear, however, since the Galactic drummer hasn't lost the funk and Alchemy features Moore, B3 organist Robert Walter and guitarist Will Bernard doing what they do best: laying down scintillating, New Orleans-inspired funk jams. It all kicks off with the Meters-like grooves of "Squash Blossom" and "Pie Eyed Manc." Moore supplies a rock-solid syncopation of punishing breaks that allows the organ and guitar textures to build up and simmer, providing a rather enthralling snapshot of group dynamics. The rest of the album flows accordingly and despite the intellectual trappings of the entire project, the album would work magic on a dance floor. Throw in a leftfield, yet poignant, cover of George Jones's "He Stopped Loving Her Today" to close it out and Groove Alchemy is another winner from Moore.