New Orleans funk progenitor George Porter Jr. is back with news of a new instrumental album Porter’s Pocket and the lead single “Tito’s Dumpling Machine”. The legendary Meters bassist teamed up with his longtime backing band Runnin’ Pardners for the album out February 7th via Color Red.
Counting off with a bounce of bass drum kicks and snare pops from drummer Terrence Houston (The Funky Meters, Toubab Krewe), “Tito’s Dumpling Machine” is quintessential New Orleans funk, which is to say quintessential George Porter Jr. As the 76-year-old bassist explained in a statement, “My attitude has always been that the drummer defines where the song goes and so I really enjoy letting a drummer set up the tune.” The rest of the band follows in line with Porter’s bass leading the way, as organ swells from keyboardist Michael Lemmier (Jubilation, TriFunctA) bring the song to life and newly added guitarist Chris Adkins (Raphael Saadiq, Mark Broussard) proves himself a team player, working in service to the groove.
“Before there was ‘funk’ as people call it, New Orleans musicians always had a way of using rhythm in a way nobody else was,” Porter said of his and his city’s musical legacy. “I am just a student of Earl King and George French and that musical school and somewhere along the way, people out there decided it was ‘funk.’”
Porter’s Pocket will hit shelves and streaming services on February 7th, but Color Red Vinyl Club subscribers will get it in the mail for the club’s December 2024 vinyl selection. Find out more here, and listen to “Tito’s Dumpling Machine” below or on your preferred platform. Porter will continue his prodigious live performance schedule with his weekly residency at New Orleans’ Maple Leaf and will support The Black Crowes during a two-night stint at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on December 21st and 22nd.
On January 17th and 18th, Porter will lead a pair of NOLA tributes at Denver Comes Alive with the Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper homage to Dr. John and Art Neville as well as the Crescent City Classics celebration of the Big Easy. Denver Comes Alive tickets are on sale here.
George Porter Jr. — “Tito’s Dumpling Machine”