How do you define a relentless groove? Is it the sludgy one chord churn of doom metal or the in-the-pocket funk of a two-chord vamp? To my ears, it’s the opening song from
Calm Down Cologne, the latest release from Garage A Trois. That track, which was created live in the studio by the supergroup composed of drummer Stanton Moore, guitarist Charlie Hunter and saxophonist/keyboard wizard Skerik, sets the stage for the rest of the five-song album.
Moore is of course a legend in his hometown of New Orleans and over the course of his long career he has collaborated with a vast array of musicians in virtually every genre. Hunter is a San Francisco Bay-area native who has carved out an incredible career playing bass and guitar parts on his trademark Hybrid Big6 instrument. Skerik is simply one of the most fascinating musicians most listeners may have ever come across.