After publishing “Scenes from the Zoo”, I started working in three directions: lo-fi pop, ambient electro and funk-disco. Testing sounds, rhythms and melodies.
Then “Random Access Memories” appeared, a boost needed to focus exclusively on funk-disco option. Both RAM and having several discards of “Sketches”, too “classic” for that one.
The result is “Galaxy”. Not the first time I say that of all the styles, soul and funk are probably the two that I like the most, to listen and to compose. “Martian” Funk, early electro and a lot of disco, Galaxy is a celebration of dance music made by great orchestras, of funk-jazz with synthesizers, of the vocoder. A funky Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
And yes, you could recall Daft Punk but this is the tip of the iceberg. You could also recognize a lot of Herbie Hancock (small tribute included), Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder or George Clinton’s music. Jamie Lidell or Toro y Moi … And above all, Earth Wind and Fire, Curtis Mayfield, Kool & the Gang, KC & the Sunshine Band, Chic, Silver Convention, Shalamar, Marvin Gaye, Blackbyrds, Diana Ross, Sly Stone, The Trammps, Moroder, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Harold Melvin, Ohio Players… A bit of Weather Report, another bit of Black Jazz Records… A pich of Motown and Philadelphia Sound…
Here’s a small sample