The latest from Corey Henry was released last Friday, June 24 on Louisiana Red Hot Records. Lapeitah is a funky, horn-infused, upbeat record with Henry's deep connection to Treme running throughout. Henry grew up on Barracks Street just down from Little People’s Club, a historically popular spot for second line parade stops. Guest musicians on Lapeitah include Living Color’s Carey Glover, Greg Thomas from George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, and Maurice “Mobetta” Brown.

Lapeitah is my most anticipated album that I've covered in the new music spotlight series. This is a well-produced record from a talented New Orleans born-and-bred musician. It opens with a song with a quintessential New Orleans refrain, 'Tell Ya Mama Nem.' Love it. Henry moves strongly into the world of funk and hiphop crossover on 'Treme Lyfe' and the R&B/funk/rock-infused 'If 6 Was 9.'

'Baby C'mon' features the gravelly soulful voice of Cole Williams, a wonderful artist (and WWOZ volunteer). Henry shines on the second line celebratory song 'Keep Steppin'' and continues on 'Muddy Waters,' a recording that sounds like it came straight out of the 1970s. 'Feeling Tremazing' has a nice, easy feel, like hanging out on the porch with neighbors on a hot evening. Lapeitah closes with 'We Got The Funk,' led by the vocal stylings of Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph blasting it out of the park. See her recent performance with the Original Pinettes Brass Band at WWOZ here.

Henry's musicianship runs deep. His grandfather Chester Jones played bass drum in a traditional jazz band at Preservation Hall. His uncle is Bennie Jones of the world renowned Treme Brass Band. “Being in Treme was my biggest inspiration, being around all that music at once. We always had brass bands playing – the Pinstripes, Olympia, the Dirty Dozen. I’d go outside and they’d be playing a party or doing a second line. I got inspired by that and of course it’s in my family, my uncle and grandfather.”