Browsing Tag

RnB Funk

The Proto-Funk Pioneers, The Yowies, have officially arrived with their decadently disco debut single, Real Time

Posted on 10 October 2024

There’s no putting the mythologically monikered proto-funk renegades, The Yowies, back in their cage after they unveiled their debut single, Real Time. The decadent disco track pours an alchemic cocktail of indie-licked RnB, funk, jazz and soul, stirred by razor-sharp songwriting chops that cut straight through the static of the contemporary music scene.

The tonal sublimity of the seductively smooth single rivals the kaleidoscopic luminosity of a disco ball as The Yowies groove across their foundational influences, which pit the timeless soul of Winehouse against the guitar licks of Nile Rodgers and the spacey transcendence of Bowie in his Young Americans era.

With jazz nuances as a smoke machine, there are few sonic signatures as slick as what is exhibited in The Yowies’ debut release which makes it impossible not to get into the fiery smooth groove. Every replay reveals a new level of their creative genius, solidifying them as a band at the forefront of proto-funk revivalism

Real Time was officially released on September 29; stream the single on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Co Co Jones brought the funk in her boom bap RnB hit, OutSide

Posted on 25 August 2024

With her latest release, OutSide, the icon in the making, Co Co Jones, cemented her position as a definitive firebrand in the contemporary RnB scene.

The track begins with a burst of funk, led by bass rolls that set the stage for what is soon to become an irresistible summer anthem. As the hit progresses, the fiery grooves pull you into a synthesis of boom-bap hip-hop, funk, and RnB, allowing Co Co Jones to blaze across unchartered ground. It’s a track you won’t dare to listen to half-heartedly; the message to live in the moment and embrace the heat of the season is one that will stick you long after the outro.

Jones has always been a pure conduit of innovation, and OutSide is no exception. The single ignites an explosion of emotion and authentic experimentation that is undeniably infectious, further showcasing Jones’ ability to meld edgy grit with swathes of feel-good soul.

By drawing from a deep well of talent that spans singing, songwriting, lyricism, and poetry, Co Co Jones is a one-of-a-kind entity in the industry, destined for infamy.  Since releasing her first full project, SuperSoulSista, in 2006, Co Co Jones has consistently proven herself as an unreckonable force. From the radio hit Anticipating to her last project, Love, Jones, she has demonstrated versatile skill that few can rival.

Whether on stage or in the studio, Jones commands attention with her soulful presence and ability to lyrically ensnare; traits that have earned her the privilege of collaborating on multiple projects and gracing numerous platforms, including television, film, radio, and live performances.

OutSide was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Supa Philly – PERCOLATE: A Retro RnB Revival with a Modern Heartbeat

Posted on 29 January 2024

Supa Philly, a band seasoned by decades of musical evolution, returned with their latest single, PERCOLATE, a track that masterfully interweaves the vibrant essence of ’80s synth-pop, funk, and disco into the fabric of R&B.

The song’s essence, deeply rooted in political inspiration, resonates with a message of love and unity, a beacon of hope in today’s fragmented world. Its lyrics, “Life is short… No more hate… Show your love… Percolate,” echo as a mantra for our times, urging listeners to embrace a brighter, more harmonious path.

Supa Philly’s rich heritage, having shared the limelight with legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Monkees, infuses PERCOLATE with a depth and authenticity rarely found in modern music. The blend of experienced voices with fresh, dynamic tones creates a vocal synergy that is both stirring and soulful.

The honed songwriting chops lend a refined yet spirited character to the track as the production melds classic synth lines with contemporary rhythms, crafting a soundscape that is both nostalgically familiar and thrillingly new. The gospel-influenced backing vocals add a layer of majestic depth, reminiscent of the soulful echoes of R&B greats.

As we eagerly await their upcoming release, ANOTHER FOOL (On a Hill), it’s evident that Supa Philly continues to redefine the boundaries of music. This track is an essential listen for those seeking a rejuvenating musical experience and a reminder of the enduring power of unity and love.

Get into the groove with PERCOLATE via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Freaky Friday Jailhouse Gang filled groove pockets with raucous rock licks in ‘Benign Lion’

Posted on 23 May 2023

As you can probably gather from their moniker, The Freaky Friday Jailhouse Gang is far from your average RnB ensemble. Their seminal single, Benign Lion, is a riot of funk and foot-stompin flavour, driven by the fiery vocal lines of Lorena Valta.

Valta knows just how to instil raucous rock elements into the groove pockets that are deep enough to leave the Grand Canyon green with cavernous envy. Adding to the eccentricity of the Austrian outfit are the layers of blues, which pay homage to the roots before embedding them in an amalgam that could only have been alchemised by The Freaky Friday Jailhouse Gang.

The serious superlative talent is one thing, but the evident fact that the powerhouse, which has kept the cogs turning since the early 2010s, doesn’t take themselves too seriously is quite another. There’s an undeniable sense that the Gang benefit from their feel-good euphonics as much as their fans.

Benign Lion is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chloë Lupton is set to lift the collective mood with her intoxicating amalgam of RnB, Funk, Disco and Pop in ‘Midnight Radio;

Posted on 20 January 2023
Chloë Lupton

RnB Funk Pop fusionist, Chloë Lupton, has transmitted the ultimate soundtrack to intoxicated euphoria with her latest single, Midnight Radio.

The catchy disco grooves that pulsate through old-skool-inspired production are seductively efficacious in their ability to reflect the heat when sparks fly from a chance encounter on the dancefloor as you connect through music.

The 22-year-old Suffolk-based artist is a creative powerhouse after spending the last seven years studying and working in music, acting and dance, including training in performing arts and musical theatre.

After realising she has an ear for soul, jazz and RnB, which also happens to be where her stylish signature vocals lie best, she worked on adding her own individualistically amalgamated sonic style to the airwaves. Now signed with Radical Lounge Studios, there is no telling where the soulful prodigy will be a year from now. She’s definitively one to watch.

Midnight Radio will officially release on January 20th across all major streaming platforms. Check it out via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Posted on 24 December 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/5la0iIS0N3PwozrkI4nUOh

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

Lil Seyi has dropped their smoother than smooth RnB EDM hit “Tambourine”

Posted on 10 September 2020

Up and coming RnB artist Lil Seyi has thrown a brand-new flavour on the airwaves with their 2020 single “Tambourine”. Tambourine is the 3rd track to be released by the smoother than smooth Maryland-hailing artist and producer who has been taking the scene by storm since making their debut. With their commitment to creating positive music, it comes as no surprise that we’re not the only ones drawn in by his imaginative and stylistically boundless approach to sound.

Crank up the volume to Tambourine and you’ll get to appreciate the full energy behind this insanely high-vibe high-octane mash-up of RnB, EDM and Funk. Lil Seyi may have been bold with their sound, but it definitely paid off. Its authenticity allows you to enjoy it from the first hit and the complexity in the textures and progressions make you want to give Tambourine plenty of repeat attention. And finishing with a Spongebob Squarepants sample? I think I love him.

You can check out Lil Seyi’s ensnaring hit for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast