Zigaboo Modeliste Legendary Drummer (The Meters)

Check out a complete listing of Zigaboo in the news. - Zigaboo Modeliste's Website

Soul Bag-France Interviewed by Frederic Adrian (in French) - Soul Bag

Produced by Mark Ronson, "A La Modeliste" is the Jazz track for RE:GENERATION featuring Erykah Badu, Trombone Shorty, Mos Def, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Members of The Dap Kings. - RE: Generation

“He’s still throwing down those funky beats like it’s as natural as breathing, and he also has a strong new album out with his 2011 release, New Life. It’s got the classic funky sound Zig is known for, but it’s got a fresh vibe too as well as some inspiring lyrics” - www.popmatters.com

In Funk, It all starts with the beat, and no drummer is tighter or snappier than Ziggy Modeliste. He’s been compulsively funky over the past decade, releasing a series of ever-grooving solo albums, including his lates “NewLife”. - LA Weekly, Oct 2011

He's the King of the Funky Drums, the Godfather of Groove, the Percussion Maestro who powered the inimitable sound of one of the most enduring and endearing bands ever to come out of New Orleans, The Meters. He's worked with Dr. John, Robert Palmer and Keith Richards, to name a few. He's written more than 200 songs individually and collectively with The Meters, and he's released three successful solo albums previously.

Now, Zigaboo Modeliste has proved once again that he is, at very least, one of the funkiest men on the planet with his new album “New Life,” out now on JZM Records. This album is so much fun, it practically gushes with joy. Opening up with a signature N'awlins rave-up titled “Les Bon Temps Roule,” Zig lets the cat out of the bag immediately and the good times roll throughout the album.

With guest appearances by bassist Kai Eckhardt, guitarist Shane Theriot, organist Joe Krown, guitarist Vernon Black, and a host of other A-list players, this album is so tight and funky I dare you to sit still. “At The Mardi Gras” is a party throwdown, certain to become a classic, as is “Keep On Groovin,” a funky little tune with a twist on the classic groove.

Lyrically, the album is filled with optimistic, upbeat messages of life, love and spirituality that make for a breath of fresh air in these difficult days where optimism is in short supply. Couple that with the relentless power and joy that emanates from the music and you've got one hell of an album that has the capacity to compel one to smile uncontrollably, dance like no one's looking, hug everyone around you, and make life a little better than it was before you listened.
- Wildman Steve, Oct 2011

Legendary Drummer Zigaboo Modeliste Releases “New Life” CD
Album Provides a Rejuvenated Take on Classic FUNK New Orleans R&B

Oakland, CA. - Legendary drummer Zigaboo Modeliste has released his 4th solo album on his label JZM Records entitled “New Life”. With elements of rock, funk, and blues on a timeless R&B base, this record features the iconic drumming and celebratory songwriting style of Zigaboo and his hometown of New Orleans. It also incorporates the talents of several music icons including legendary arranger Wardell Quezerque, saxophonist Norbert Stachel, and trumpeter Mic Gillet of Tower of Power fame.

A key ingredient in the outstanding flavor of “New Life” is the musical rapport these truly skilled artists created with Zigaboo. Musicians from both New Orleans and the San Francisco Bay Area came together to create a fun, upbeat album that is a notable addition to the New Orleans musical tradition. Included in the star-studded lineup is guitarist Shane Theriot (Neville Brothers, Madeleine Peyroux), master percussionist Bill Summers (Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder), keyboardist Eamonn Flynn (The Commitments), and organist Joe Krown (Gatemouth Brown).

“New Life,” which is also the title of the lead single, offers musical reflection and healing for the everyday ups and downs we all face and a heavy dose of rejuvenating spirit. “At the Mardi Gras” elaborates on the epicenter of New Orleans musical culture, the Carnival heritage. “Human Race” is an inspiring message from Zigaboo that “every man, woman, child of every nationality should be concerned with the human race as it is sacred.” Zigaboo’s songwriting talent is best featured on "Holiday Kiss" which is destined to be a classic ballad for all seasons. Taken in full, this album reminds the listener of all that can be gained from a fresh outlook on life while enriching them in a spiritual way with grooves, soul, and funk purism.

Check out “New Life” today for an earful of hope and happiness, Zigaboo-style! For more information about “New Life” and upcoming Zigaboo concerts, visit www.zigaboo.com and ‘Like’ Zigaboo on Facebook. To request a press kit or interview with Zigaboo, contact JZM Records at: kwebster1234@gmail.com. CDs are available at Louisiana Music Factory, CDBaby, iTunes and at Zigaboo.com
- JZM Records

"Zigaboo Modeliste, the high performance engine behind the funk limousine of the Meters, has tinkered with his identity as a leader, but appears to have arrived at a perfect medium for his solo persona with “New Life - John Swenson, Offbeat Magazine, May 2011

Ass-shaking instant classics, each and every one. But “New Life”, issued by Oakland, Calif.-based JZM Records, wouldn’t have been nearly so interesting without its unexpected earlier detours into some seriously fonky R&B side roads. Modeliste shows he’s can still conjure up the Meters magic, but also that his brilliance is not confined to those old records. - All About Jazz, Nick DeRiso, July 2011

Zigaboo Modeliste gives us the revitalizing funk that we all need. ….a joyful, carefree collection of upbeat dance songs and mellow R & B grooves. “New Life” also demonstrates Zig’s ability to incorporate other styles into his music, from the bubbly poppiness of “Was Not Mean To Be” to the blade’s edge blues guitar solo in “New Life” he supports it all with the backbone of his impeccably funky drumming. - Relix Magazine Review, Oct 2011

“New Life” has this whole positive vibe of it. Every Track has this great optimism to it, it’s so upbeat and it’s thinking about the future in a positive way - Jambands, Nov 2011

Zigaboo Modeliste
Funk Me Hard—Live
JZM RECORDS
It’s hard to overstate the
importance of drummer
Joseph Zigaboo
Modeliste. In the drum
chair for The Meters, a
group that defined New Orleans funk
in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Modeliste is the
model of funk and groove drumming
for each succeeding generation of New
Orleans musicians. This five-song EP
features Modeliste with his band
Gaboon’s Gang recorded live at New
Orleans’s Saenger Theater in 1980.
Culled from a long-lost live film project,
the 24-track recording is crystal clear,
capturing all of the nuances and energy
of the set. Highlights include “I Don’t
Know Why” and the hard-hitting
“Standing in the Funk.” With few releases
under his own name, here’s a
chance to truly give the drummer
some. Tad Hendrickson - Relix Magazine

Zigaboo Modeliste & Gaboons Gang
Funk Me Hard-Live
New Orlenas funk master Zigaboo Modeliste is captured here in transitional phase, on the cusp of his departure from the Original Meters. The live five-track DP, recorded in 1980, highlights the drummer's own tunes. Adapting to his new setting, Zig applies a harder-straight-8th drive, as compared with the slinky swampy groove the famously trademarked with his former band . The material is killer-backbeat, slappin-bass, hang-on-two-chord classic funk fronted by gritty vocals. Although the fidelity is a tad murky, the commanding groove crackles, making Funk Me Hard a satisfying slice of Zig history (JZM) Jeff Potter - Modern Drummer-September 2009

Zigaboo Modeliste is one of the greatest drummers in the history of pop music
~ The New Yorker

Modeliste is probably the most brillant American Funk percussionist of the contemporary era.
~ David Marsh, Book of Rock Lists

“Godfather of Groove”
~ Downbeat Magazine

All what propelled by what hip-hop producer Lucas "Cut Chemist" McFadden calls Modeliste "less is more" drumming. Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee says "That is what the formula for funk and hip-hop as we know it."
~San Francisco Chronicle

After Leo Nocentelli's guitar or Art Neville's organ or even George Porter's bass states the theme, the soloist on your mind is nonpareil drummer Ziggy Modeliste. Zigaboo articulated his beats so eccentrically they're hooky.
~ Rolling Stone, 2005

Zig is like the Elvin Jones of New Orleans Funk. A lot of things that Zig played, you can't learn it and you can't imitate it. It's based on the African. There is a strong 6/8 feel to it.
~ Downbeat Magazine

The Meters' drummer, Zigaboo Modeliste plays a rhythm so hectic you worry he won't get back to the downbeat in time. Given only a few staccato guitar chords to work with, Amerie sings an energetic, lighthearted love song, calling out the lyrics as if she were playing some game.
~New York Times, Critics Notebook March 2005

Washington, D.C. -based producer Rich Harrison hears the track for the first time in May of 2004. I love the Meters: New Orleans music is very close to D.C. Go-Go, very percussive and chant oriented. And Ziggy, he's crazy
~ Blender 2005

They don't call him the king of the funky drums for nuthin, Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste practically invented funk
~ Dirty Linen
s

Well, there's Ziggy Modeliste from the Meters. Now he's a genius. Nobody can play what he plays, the way he plays. He's got a whole 'nother thing happening
~ Wax Poetics, #14 Fall

Not only are the beats snappy and tight, they're pretty darned tricky to replicate. what's more, the drums on these records sound perfect-a bit distant, dry, and tight.
~ Modern Drummer

Amerie:1 Thing R&B Jam of the year: The crazy in love drums sound live but they're sampled from the Meters' 1970 "Oh Calcutta!," looped by D.C. producer Rich Harrison into bongo funk while Amerie hangs on by her nails. Drummer hero Ziggy Modeliste proves New Orleans will never, never die.
~ The top 10 singles Rolling Stone 2006

Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, I’m On the Right Track
From the beginning of this enjoyable record, Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste stakes his claim to the throne that he was, is and will be the funkiest drummer on the planet. Zig's contemporary sound is different from most rhythm and blues these days because it still has the sound and the unmistakable sound of real instruments
~ www.bestofneworleans.com

....Everything clicks on I'm on the Right Track captures the band's sound perfectly and provides a platform for Modeliste's crisp straight-ahead drum sound on a strong collection of catch, melodically strong tunes.
~ Sonics ***** (5 star) Sterophile

“One of the most influential drummers EVER!”
~ Stickit Magazine

“Created what is considered to be among the most groundbreaking funk music of all time!
~ Drum! Magazine - New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Downbeat, the Chronicle, Dirty Linen, Wax Poetics