funk/soul
Track: Thundercat reveals new remix of ‘Dragonball Durag’ feat. Smino and Guapdad 4000
In the wake of his monumental ‘It is what it is’, which we roundly adored upon its release in the spring, Thundercat has returned with a new remix of one of the records standout tracks – Dragonball Durag, featuring friends Smino and Guapdad 4000. Rapper and vocalist Smino co-founded the lauded Zero Failure collective alongside …
Track: Steve Arrington releases new track, ‘Soulful I Need That In My Life’
Anticipation is rising amongst devoted funksters as Steve Arrington’s new album ‘Down To The Lowest Terms: The Soul Sessions’ is due to drop on 18th September on Stones Throw Records. He’s been away for 10 years after quitting the scene to devote time to the ministry, only to be heard in snatches on samples from …
Album Review: Fantastic Negrito – Have you lost your mind yet?
As, so as we live through these divisive socio-political days with polarising political figures at the helm and the rights of everyone at the forefront of people’s minds and protests, so art reflects that. In the same way, in differing times but similar unrest came the likes of (amongst others) Sam Cooke singing ‘A Change …
TRACK: Funk legend Steve Arrington releases ‘Keep on Dreamin’’
STEVE Arrington has serious funk pedigree. First breaking through as percussionist and drummer for “The World’s Greatest Funksters”, Slave, on their boundary pushing 1978 classic The Concept, the group soon had the measure of his extraordinary vocal agility. He moved to lead singer on the band’s string of more R&B-flavoured hits in the early 80s, …
Album Review: Simon Jefferis – Vibrations
Brixton based polymath Simon Jefferis returns to rising label DeepMatter with his debut LP ‘Vibrations’. From the golden era energies of ‘Back 2 Ours’ featuring Austin’s Abhi The Nomad, through to the silky smooth melodies of ‘White Rabbit’ (featuring the incredible Rosie Lowe on vocals) and shoulder swaying rhythms of ‘Something In The Water’, ‘Vibrations’ …
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 …
Album Review: Maceo Parker – Soul Food – Cooking With Maceo
Fans of Maceo have had a whole 8 years to wait for his latest studio album. Well let me tell you I don’t think they will be disappointed. Soul Food – Cooking with Maceo serves up a nourishing, all you can eat buffet of classics and originals infused with New Orleans Funk. ‘Cross The Track’, …
Feature: Smoove and Turrell give us an exclusive track by track breakdown of new album Stratos Bleu
Out today via the magnificent Jalapeño Records is Stratos Bleu, the new album from Newcastle’s finest electro-jazz/soul pioneers Smoove & Turrell, essentially producer Smoove and lyricist / singer John Turrell. At the helm of a formidable funk machine, Smoove & Turrell are capable of throwing out funk / soul / house mash-ups or quite as …
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”, …