Galactic is currently working on its next studio album, the follow-up to its 2003 release , Ruckus. As previously reported, the group has been co-writing tracks with a variety of vocalists and MCs, including Jurassic 5s Chali 2na, Blackalicious Gift of Gab, Mr. Lif, Lyrics Born, The Coups Boots Riley, Lateef the Truthspeaker, and Digable Planets Ladybug, among others. The group has also confirmed that its next record will boast contributions from a variety of veteran New Orleans players, including Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews. The band is currently considering whether to put the record out on its own imprint or through a label. The as-of-yet untitled disc is tentatively set for a late summer 2007 release.

Everyone in the band listens to a lot of hip-hop saxophonist Ben Ellman says. We have always felt there is a natural connection between the New Orleans funk and brass band music that has inspired our sound and the rhythmic aspects of hip-hop. We wanted to push ourselves on this record to do something really different. We felt it would be fun to make an album with some of our favorite MCs with us as a foundation since its always felt great when weve had the opportunity to do it live.
The New Orleans group is currently on the road previewing its new material. Papa Mali provided support duties throughout the first leg of the groups journey and sat in on a number of tunes over the weekend. On both Thursday in Memphis New Daisy Theatre and Friday at Nashvilles City Hall the singer appeared on Hercules, Walk on Gilded Splinters and Bottle Up and Go. Saturday longtime James Brown drummer Erik Hargrove also joined Galactic and Papa Mali on Hot Pants. Galactic will appear at Baltimore, MDs 8 × 10 tomorrow.