#415 of 500
· Rolling Stone“The back half of the RS500 is where the interesting debates live. The Meters's Looka Py Py (1969) is funk that transcends its genre tag. The original pressing is the one to find — the kind of record that stops you mid-flip at the store.”
The Meters were a New Orleans funk band formed in 1965 by Art and Cyril Neville, Leo Nocentelli, and Joseph 'Zigaboo' Modeliste. Originally recording as The Meters for the Josie Records label, they became one of the most influential funk groups of the 1970s, serving as session musicians and backing band for numerous New Orleans artists before establishing themselves as a headlining act. Their self-titled debut album (1969) and subsequent releases like 'Look-Ka Py Py' (1970) and 'Struttin' (1973) showcased their tight, groove-oriented sound that emphasized percussion and rhythm. The band dissolved in 1977 but reunited several times beginning in 2000, maintaining their legacy as pioneering architects of modern funk.
Style
The Meters created a distinctive New Orleans funk style characterized by syncopated basslines, intricate percussion patterns, minimal vocals, and an emphasis on instrumental interplay. Their sound blended R&B, soul, and Caribbean rhythms into hypnotic, dance-oriented grooves.
Significance
The Meters are essential to funk and hip-hop history, with their grooves extensively sampled by producers and influencing generations of musicians. For vinyl collectors, their original Josie and Reprise Records releases are highly sought-after, particularly their early-1970s output, which represents some of the finest funk ever recorded.
Own this record? Track it in your collection.