The Meters, hailing from New Orleans, are widely recognized as one of the progenitors of funk music, infusing their sounds with rich traces of R&B, jazz, and soul. Formed in the mid-1960s, the group initially consisted of Art Neville on keyboards and vocals, George Porter Jr. on bass, Leo Nocentelli on guitar, and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste on drums. They gained prominence first as a highly sought-after backing band for artists like Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, and Robert Palmer, which honed their tight grooves and deeply syncopated musical communication.

Their influence on the music scene, however, extended far beyond the recording studio. The Meters' own instrumental work, with tracks like "Cissy Strut" and "Look-Ka Py Py," earned them critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase for their sophisticated layering of rhythms and melodies that are often imitated but never replicated. Their works from the 1970s, such as "Rejuvenation," "Fire on the Bayou," and "Cabbage Alley," are seen as classics in the funk genre, capturing the essence of New Orleans' vibrant culture and musical tradition. Despite undergoing several lineup changes and experiencing different phases over time, The Meters' fusion of gritty funk rhythms with the spirit of their hometown has cemented their legacy as funk pioneers and New Orleans music royalty.

Genres

Afrobeat

Funk

Instrumental Soul

Jazz Funk

New Orleans Funk

P Funk

Soul

Related Artists

Earth, Wind & Fire

Tower Of Power

The Isley Brothers

War

James Brown

Booker T. & the M.G.'s

The Neville Brothers

Dr. John

Funkadelic

Galactic

Kool & The Gang

George Clinton

Latest Release

The Melting

The Meters

Single - Released February 10, 2022