Back catalogue: Funk

Review: The Mighty Eye label has been mighty fine in its work so far and this 16th outing is another doozy for funk lovers. The Ancient Cosmonauts are at the helm and that's a perfect name for a band that blends classic funk with cosmic moods. 'Free As I Wanna Be' is conversational and instrumental brilliance with sombre lead horns and gentle live drums sinking you into a mellow mood. 'Intergalactical Travel' takes flight on more astral lines and has a little more bite in the drums but this is still a warm, heartfelt sound.

Review: The Leonhart Brass Band, the latest project from trumpeter Michael Leonhart, was born out of the 2020 lockdown, an inventive response to the halt of his 18-piece orchestra performances at NYC's Jazz Standard. Stripped down to a brass-heavy ensemble that could perform outdoors without amplification, Leonhart took inspiration from classic brass bands like Dirty Dozen and Rebirth, blending in hip-hop and funk influences to create a unique sound. The opening track, 'Jabbar', is a tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the basketball icon with a rich jazz background. Centred on an infectious bass riff in C minor, Leonhart's trumpet and Jason Marshall's bass saxophone deliver bold, brassy solos, conjuring the vitality and strength of the track's namesake. Another standout is 'The Iceman', a nod to George Gervin, the basketball great known for his unflappable demeanour on the court. The brass section splits into two distinct groups, creating counterpoint melodies that mirror Gervin's grace and intensity. Stuart Bogie's baritone sax solo, complete with tape echo, adds an unexpected texture, grounding the track in a deep, funky groove. With members from Antibalas, the Dap-Kings, and Red Baraat, the Leonhart Brass Band fuses tight musicianship with an exhilarating energy that carries the weight of New Orleans tradition, while forging its own path in the modern jazz and funk worlds.

Review: Powers That Be is a heavyweight modern funk outfit which counts some serious talent in its ranks. Antibalas drummer and bassist Miles Francis and Phenomenal Handclap Band's guitarist Luke O'Malley are but two of the gifted players laying down a vintage style of deep funk on this sureshot 7" for Mighty Eye. You'd be forgiven for thinking this was a holy grail cut from the 70s, given how warm and natural the sound on the record is, but there's also a degree of finesse on both sides of the record which speaks to the band's collective endeavours in pushing classic funk forwards in the modern era.