Legendary New Orleans funk bassist George Porter Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners have released Crying For Hope, their first full-length album in a decade, via Controlled Substance Sound Labs and Color Red.
Recorded remotely during quarantine, the twelve-track album features a mix of unreleased Pardners tunes as well as an array of new cuts inspired by the country’s jarring moment of collective social justice reckoning last summer. As a press release notes, Crying For Hope serves as a “snapshot of the modern state of funk—and a testament to its place in the greater social conversation—from one of the most prolific and influential bassists of a generation.”
In addition to Porter, the founding bassist of prototypical New Orleans funk outfit The Meters, Runnin’ Pardners are drummer Terrence “Groove Guardian” Houston, keyboardist Michael Lemmler, and guitarist Chris Adkins, with guest vocalist Mia Borders.
In addition to the release of Crying For Hope, George Porter Jr. is forging into the future with the release of an album art NFT. Created in collaboration with Crying For Hope cover artist JT Lucchesi and Home Team Designs, the digital asset’s purchaser will also receive signed memorabilia and an opportunity to have “Coffee With George” during a private meet-and-greet. To bid on the George Porter Jr. and Runnin Pardners Crying For Hope cover art NFT, head here. Unsure about NFTs in general? Check out our handy guide here.
Order your physical copy of the new George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners album or stream it on the platform of your choice here.
George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners – Crying For Hope – Full Album
For more on George, check out our 2020 interview with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient on late collaborators Art Neville and Allen Toussaint, and the hindsight of The Meters.