Browsing Tag

funk

Christopher Nielsen gets inspired with a jazz-funk groove on new single ‘Payne’

Posted on 3 April 2021

Returning after a fifteen year sabbatical to a music industry which has changed beyond all expectation in the intervening years is always going to be a challenge, but it’s one which multi-instrumentalist Christopher Nielsen has taken up with aplomb. Taken from his new, thirteen-track instrumental album ‘Our Voyage Home’, ‘Payne’ is a jazzy, funky little number driven by Carmine Appice-style upfront drums and a delicious seventies-toned Rhodes piano lead.

It’s lively, old-school without being dated, rootsy, and very driven; think an instrumental jam breakdown in an Earth, Wind, and Fire concert, or a little Weather Report studio wig out time. Jazz meets soul meets folk all mixed up by pushed percussion and wandering keyboards. It’s fluid, expressive, and genuinely good, uplifting, fun.

‘Payne’, and the rest of ‘Our Voyage Home’, is available on Spotify. Check out Christopher Nielsen’s website here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Pull Me To The Surface: The Fiddle Revolt ask to be lifted out of the machine on ‘Breakdown’

Posted on 26 March 2021

Somehow fusing a soothing waterfall of tasty funk, soul, blues, RnB, pop and reggae, into the mixing bowl of goodness for our malnourished music palate, The Fiddle Revolt, are back into our anxiously curious lives to fill the growling stomach with their latest single called ‘Breakdown‘.

Akron, Ohio five-piece multi-genre act The Fiddle Revolt, are a specially-sauced indie band with so many influences in their souls, you ride a wave of knowledgeable euphoria when you turn them up real loud.

This is the intense story about how it feels when you are stuck in a place you know you need to get out of, as your body caves in tiredly and you feel desperately disillusioned in this wild world of constant replication, that doesn’t seem to make any sense. A re-connection of the mind is solely needed to find yourself as you look for purpose, far away from the sticky midst that makes you feel so lost and scarily gloomy.

Their smartly constructed barrage of dazzling sounds is forceful but never too much, the solos are appealingly electric and make with hand-crafted precision, with satisfying vocals that make you feel relaxed and that wonderful violin jolt-to-the-veins, that puts you quickly into a new world around you, far up and over the wild ocean wave that threatens to drag you in and spin you around underwater the dirty water, like a powerful underwater current in the sea full of ferocious jellyfish, that just won’t let you go.

‘Breakdown‘ from Ohio’s incredible indie fusion band The Fiddle Revolt, catches you in your healing soul where it counts with their signature authentic style, that smiles in your face to give you hope in these dark times. Starting again and pursuing that self-motivation to elevate above, is the only way to live and love after all.

Hear the track here and see more about their adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Only Love: Melbourne six-piece band Rambal heat up our anxious mood with funky new album ‘Hold Your Fire’

Posted on 6 March 2021

Stylishly bringing us their freshly squeezed positive groove vibrations that soothes all worries away, Rambal are back with their highly-awaited new album called ‘Hold Your Fire’.

Formally known as Justin Yap Band, Rambal, is the ambitious six-piece soul/funk/blues outfit from the creative shores of Melbourne in Australia. They inspiring make that unifying music that asks for acceptance from us all to peacefully alter the world to a state of peace and love, no matter who you are or where you are from.

This fantastic ten-track socially conscious release has so many gems inside, the glow feels quite right as your senses are alive again. Particular highlights-there are no fillers here-has to be ‘Follow Me Down‘, ‘Another Tomorrow‘ and ‘Step In‘.

Your body grooves with their energy as they take you on this exciting journey with a smile, each track made with care and purpose as you float into another world, that is so much better than the one we are in right now.

‘Hold Your Fire’ from the lovable Ozzies Rambal, is a soulful journey through their fascinating world, as they tell us to get rid of unnecessary weapons and negativity, remembering that we can indeed live in a peacefully content world, with so much love and calm energy illuminating from our bodies.

Stream this wonderfully crafted album on Spotify and see their IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Babybrutha gave us a guide to aural salvation in their funk-driven soul-rock track ‘Black Vinyl’

Posted on 5 March 2021

Aural salvation-seekers with a penchant for funk-driven soul-rock will definitely want to delve into the latest release ‘Black Vinyl’, by Chicago-based fourpiece, Babybrutha.

Black Vinyl exhibits Babybrutha not just as dexterous artists, but as eccentric alchemists of soul-stroking high vibes; you’ll feel existentially lighter before the chorus hits. With Hendrix-style solos, vocals from Tim Lee which prove that his soul could sate the grim reaper for a decade and deep Motown grooves, it’s impossible to entertain any notion of apathy when the track is running through.

You can check out the official video to Black Vinyl by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Skunk Funk pulled back the curtain with reggae-rock ska-punk single ‘Welcome to the Freakshow’

Posted on 4 March 2021
Skunk Soup by Skunk Funk

If you could imagine what it would sound like if Insane Clown Posse grew up, gained some debonair flair and a reggae-rock ska-punk style, you’ll get a good idea of what to expect from Skunk Funk’s latest single ‘Welcome to the Freakshow’.  Funk has never been more theatrical.

With sunny staccato rhythms around cutting post-punk tones and elements of surf rock and nu-metal thrown in for good measure, Skunk Funk’s sound went far beyond psychedelic and wandered into the realms of absurdity – and that’s no bad thing. Skunk Funk delivered a unifying track bound to appeal to the outliers of society who were strange before reality became a hyper-normalised recipe for serotonin deprivation.

Welcome to the Freakshow is available to stream and download via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I’ll treat you better: Angus Brill Reed is ready for when they see the light on ‘Nth Degree’

Posted on 20 February 2021

The recent EDM Winner of the 2020 UK Songwriting Contest, Angus Brill Reed returns splendidly with the wonderful new single about that deep feeling in your body, that can’t be explained called ‘Nth Degree‘.

Angus Brill Reed is a talented indie EDM/trap/funk artist from Australia, who is a fresh talent on the rise who makes music that explores love and finding those meaningful relationships to illuminate your soul.

”This song explores love without limits, where chemistry in a relationship has the potential to create forever harmony. Wrapped in an upbeat and fresh groove.”-Angus Brill Reed

This is the sweetly crisp story of that special kind of chemistry between two people that should be together, that has you dancing all over your lounge, you have been in his place when you care so much for someone, but they are taken right now. You are ready for the time when they see the light, as there is no one else you want.

The jazzy beat is a waterfall of pureness onto your body as you sense the love, and feel so vibrantly happy with his voice that illuminates the speakers and sizzles with a cheeky grin.

‘Nth Degree‘ from the incredible talent Angus Brill Reed, is a stunning effort from a soulfully advanced singer who brings us a true message of doing your upmost to look for something real and pure. Life is too short to have your heart played with so finding that special love, is something that is beyond valuable.

Hear this uplifting single on Spotify and see more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

This is who I am: Linda aka Sand is simply remarkable on genre-bending gem ‘Naked’

Posted on 19 February 2021

Inspired by her fascinating world travels and working out who she really is, Linda aka Sand shows us her true soul to heartwarming delight on ‘Naked‘.

Linda Gambino is Linda aka Sand, a multi-skilled Rome, Italy-born, Berklee College of Music Boston graduate, indie soul/funk/jazz singer-songwriter, who has made a recent move to usually-thriving London in England.

She makes that genuine soundscape that is classy cool, who fills you up gently with hope and life throughout dusting away inner doubt and growing disillusionment in the world. This is a woman who is ready and sings so gloriously.

Produced by Italian composer Enrico Solazzo, this is a beat that fills you to the core and brilliantly reaches your soul as you marvel at the whole production. The song is so cinematic, the story of a woman who has made it through all those winding roads and avoided the tempting nature of this wild world.

‘Naked‘ from exceptional Italian musician Linda aka Sand, is that real moment you feel only once in your life. She projects the feeling that means you are ready for whatever challenges come your way, as your armor is so strong and absolutely priceless. This is who you really are.

Stream this stunning single here on Spotify and see her story on FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Late night hope: The Art Crimes Band bring the candles to guide us brightly on ‘In the Dark of the Evening’

Posted on 2 February 2021

After persisting through this endless lock-down to get their music recorded, South -West Ireland act The Art Crimes Band, bless sour hearts with a jazzy number to truly hold onto ‘In the Dark of the Evening‘.

Six-piece Cork City-based jazz, funk and soul group The Art Crimes Band, make that type of music that hugs your close and doesn’t let go. They perform as one unit and after swapping the bar gig cover scene to be a fully fledged original band, they are certainly flourishing with a fantastic flair about them on their revitalised music journey.

Their genuine flow is such a lighter click to the evening and you feel their authentic vibe right away. Her stunning vocals transforms all that you feel and makes everything better. With the sexy sax adding so much heartfelt energy to proceedings along with the sweet keys and intricate guitar, you feel a calm healing transformation lather all over your soul, as you close your eyes and let everything unfold naturally.

This is the story above of wanting to hold their hand during these cold days and to not let go. With all that is going on in the world, the desire to be close with that special soul and never leave is so apparent. We crave that human touch and being told not to, is so tough to do right now- as we are wired for exactly the opposite.

”The single addresses mental health and the effects of isolation. The song’s lyrics offer a message of hope, love and friendship”.- The Art Crimes Band

‘In the Dark of the Evening‘ from Irish jazz-fusion act The Art Crimes Band, is a genuine song that is full of quality musicians all over this track. This is a peaceful escape from this dark and miserable world that is begging for healing to be happy again. Music like this certainly helps to keep the mood light and anxiousness away.

Stream this top new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Joesix’s ‘Beauty Queen’ – funky uplifting soulful Hip Hop at its best

Posted on 24 December 2020

At 31, UK-based artist Joesix is already a pretty established name on the North East hip hop scene; now back with his latest single ‘Beauty Queen’, Joe’s mixing up old-school soul, Motown, and funk with R&B and Hip Hop to produce a single that crosses artificial boundaries and give us something with true dance credentials.

Upbeat, funky, soulful, and exciting, ‘Beauty Queen’ blends Nile Rodgers-style funk guitar with Motown Hammond organ parts and a proper, early hip hop scene rapped vocal that’s reminiscent of Melle Mel, Grandmaster Flash, and the Furious Five. That said, it’s a fiendishly modern track, all the while nodding back to its roots in 80’s breakdance and Hip Hop; handclaps, gated kick drum and snare, and genuine flow. You can easily imagine ‘Beauty Queen’ on prime time Eighties Top Of The Pops just as smoothly as you can at Jazz Café or Concrete; it’s groovy, it’s timeless, it’s got style and class, and it’s insanely danceable.

Check out ‘Beauty Queen’ on Spotify, and follow Joesix on Facebook or Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

The Turner Brothers’ new single is seriously on the ‘Money’

Posted on 23 December 2020

When seventies-style funk/electro-pop meets modern hip hop and ska, you’ve pretty much got The Turner Brothers. With new single ‘Money’, we get exactly that; serious soul-funk groove and hip hop vocals on the verses, jangly off-beat guitar and hip-swinging bass goodness spliced seamlessly into horn-section stabs and ska-funk choruses. It’s a brilliant track, the chorus catchier than those annoying little grass seeds that stick in your clothes and refuse to let go. And that’s pretty catchy.

There’s a mixture of the nutty boys and the 2Tone scene in there with nods to Madness and the Specials, mixed with jazzy soul/funk like Jamiroquai or the Brand New Heavies, but the Turner Brothers – a ten-piece line-up, no less, fronted by brothers (the clue’s in the name) Pat and Tony Turner – have taken elements of all their influences and seriously mixed them up, coming out with a sound all of their own.

On ‘Money’, it really does hook, the brass section adding little frissons of excitement atop the hip hop funk, and it really isn’t relinquishing its hold any time soon. ‘Money’ really is a serious ear-worm party-tune, and in 2020 that’s really no bad thing at all.

See the video for ‘Money’, and follow the Turner Brothers, on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes.