funk/soul tracks
Limited EP: Pyjæn – Sage Secrets
‘Sage Secrets‘ is the latest EP from PYJÆN, a quintet that seamlessly melds funk, afro-beat and contemporary sounds with nods to hip-hop and disco, whilst acknowledging the heady days of 1920’s era jazz. The EP takes the listener on a tour of the group’s broad influences. It’s rock-solid rhythm section, triumphant brass fanfares and truly …
Track: Kamaal Williams – One More Time
Wu Hen is the second helping of Kamaal Williams self-styled Wu Funk, this time with added strings from Miguel-Atwood Ferguson and Saxophone from Quinn Mason are added to the mix. Of the project Kamaal says “This is a revolution of the mind. A spiritual rebellion. To reach new heights requires separating ourselves from the material …
Track: Galaxians – Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker is the new track from Leeds-based disco-funk trio Galaxians, taken from their forthcoming second album ‘Chemcial Reactions’, out on 26th June. Of the track, concerned with female empowerment, personal freedom, taking the likes of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and – according to the bands frontwoman Emma Mason Even Prince and his delicious feminine energy”, …
See: Yellow Days release new video for ‘Treat You Right’
The music video for recent single “Treat You Right”, opens with a solitary “Yellow Days” (George Van Den Broek) playing the song’s infectious organ ditty upon a rocky planet. The video depicts a space-centred romantic escapade, rich with as much melancholy as the track itself. Not only the video, but also the music itself, reinforces …
Track: Maceo Parker – Cross the Track, plus new album news
Funk legend Maceo Parker has announced his first new studio album in eight years – ‘Soul Food – Cooking with Maceo’ will be out on June 26th via the Mascot Label Groups new imprint, The Funk Garage. First up from the album is a re-recorded version of his own CrosS the Track, one of two …
Track: Sven Wunder – Yügen
It might have gone under the radar, but people are beginning to realise the brilliance of Sven Wunder’s 2019 debut ‘Eastern Flowers’, as it mixed up Anatolian rock, European Jazz, library, funk, psychedelia and folk which persuaded fans of those genres to fork out up to £150 on Discogs for it. Anyway, he’s back for …
Track: Sami Nathan – Beautiful Outside
After spending time writing songs for other artists, singer-songwriter Sami Nathan has stepped out from behind her, well, whatever she sits behind and into the spotlight. Out right now is her new single ‘Beautiful Outside’, and judging by that, it might be the smartest move she’s ever made. Beautiful Outside has this 60’s torch/soul song …
Track: El Michels Affair – Life of Pablo
El Michels Affair, essentially Brooklyn producer/musician Leon Michels is preparing for the release of his new album ‘Adult Themes’, and ahead of it he’s brought out the third single to be taken from the record, Life of Pablo, out now via Big Crown Records. Life of Pablo has such a laid back warmth about it, …
Track: Lettuce – House of Lett
Out on 8th May is the new album from Lettuce, following on from last years Elevate album that we liked an awful lot here at Backseat Mafia, and ahead of that they’ve released a new single, House of Lett. Of the track, bassist Erick ‘Jesus’ Coomes says “some of us like to freak outwith our beaks out, …
Track: Smoove & Turrell – Fade Away
Geordie funk/soul duo Smoove & Turrell have released a new track from their forthcoming album ‘Strato Bleu’, out on Jalapeño Records this spring. As ever, the pair have produced something thats funky, accessible and instantly loveable. It’s full of this incredible funky bass, shaft of guitar chords and keys man Mark Porter has gone to …