Artist:   Stanton Moore Trio
Song:   "(Late Night at the) Maple Leaf"
Album: Emphasis! (On Parentheses)
Label:   Telarc
Year:    2008

Stanton Moore sits atop the throne now for young drummers in New Orleans. Considering the heritage of that position (Earl Palmer, Ed Blackwell, Charles "Hungry" Williams, John Boudreaux, Zigaboo Modeliste, Johnny Vidocovich, Willie Greene and a dozen others), it's an enviable position to be in. But to really groove on "(Late Night at the) Maple Leaf," a little history is helpful. The Maple Leaf is one of the cornerstone music clubs in the Crescent City. It's way uptown on Oak Street, a beautiful ride on the St. Charles streetcar, and a more unassuming place would be hard to picture. One of the best things about it is the bandstand is right by the sidewalk, and through a large window you can stand out front and catch all the action. The most bodacious bands in town all play there, and if you venture inside there is no way not to be grabbed by the back of the neck and thrown on the dance floor by the sounds blasting from the bandstand. The Stanton Moore Trio knows all about what it takes to hit the groove, and here go straight for a mighty Meters-inspired funk to supply the pyrotechnics. There is an interlocking ferociousness in their sound, and it's about as seamless as music can be.  It's like all three are breathing the same air and using the same heart. The whole album is like that, thankfully, so for those who have already caught the magic at the Maple Leaf and others still hoping to get there, start right here.