Dumpstaphunk: Dirty Word

The New Orleans funk is steep and the let’s-all-get-along unity groove is deep on Dirty Word, the second full-length recording from a band that’s steadily evolved since its informal start a decade ago at Jazz Fest, as an all-star collective led by keyboardist Ivan Neville. Once something of a loosely organized outfit heavily informed by the Meters and the Neville Brothers-Ivan is Aaron’s son, guitarist Ian is Art’s son, and practically the entire band has worked with Nevilles bands old or new-Dumpstaphunk now is more focused and song-oriented. And influences like P-Funk and Sly and the Family Stone make their presence known on Dirty Word.

Drummer-singer Nikki Glaspie, a relatively new addition, helps recast the sound and feel of the band, locking in from the get-go with twin bass guitarists Hall and Nick Daniels III, and sharing lead vocals on opener “Dancin to the Truth.” That tune and the title track launch the disc with hard-slamming rhythm figures and multicolor keys and guitars, the kind of sonic gumbo that typically keeps fans moving nonstop during the group’s raucous shows.