Struttin'

Released in June 1970 on Josie Records, Struttin' represents a pivotal evolution for The Meters. As their third studio outing, it marks the transition from a purely instrumental outfit to a group exploring vocal soul. Recorded at Cosimo Matassa's legendary New Orleans studio, the album retains the 'Bayou Funk' sound - characterized by lean, syncopated rhythms and a lack of reverb - while expanding their stylistic range. The inclusion of tracks like 'Chicken Strut' solidified their commercial standing, reaching #11 on the R&B charts. Critically, the album is noted for its 'organic, earthy' quality, with Robert Christgau famously comparing their 'Caribbean lilt' to a second-line march. While some critics noted a slight lack of cohesion due to the mix of instrumentals and vocal covers, the album remains a cornerstone of funk history and a goldmine for sampling, influencing generations of hip-hop and R&B artists.