Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Kelly Finnigan, based in San Francisco, continues his rich legacy of soul with a fresh collaboration alongside fellow genre legend Renaldo Domino. The pair's new 45, kicks off with 'Keep Me In Mind,' is a track originally laid down in 1967 by Buffalo's Samson & Delilah, but Finnigan brings a modern, soul-soaked touch to the tune, locking in with tight rhythms and vibrant horns, all while channeling the essence of classic male soul duos like Sam & Dave. On the flip side, 'Let Me Count The Reasons,' pulled from Finnigan's recent A Lover Was Born, dials down the tempo into a more tender, romantic groove. Written with long-time collaborator Max Ramey, it beautifully weaves influences from Detroit to Philadelphia soul. This 45 is yet another nod to Finnigan's knack for crafting timeless soul, making it a must-have for DJs and lovers of classic, heartfelt music. With every release, Finnigan proves why he remains at the forefront of modern soul.

Review: Emma Noble, the emerging soul singer from London, delivers a powerful performance on the girl group soul anthem 'Unstoppable'. Her second single, it's poised to become a next-gen floor-filler; catch us playing it on repeat, *in flagranti*, after it premiered on Craig Charles' BBC6 Soul Show in early 2025. 'Going Going Gone' backs it up on the B-side, as the first single from FPE's upcoming album Waves. Hearing rising Australian singer-songwriter and pop genius J Mahon on vocal duties, the track's catchy brass sections combine with J's androgynous soul vocals, and evokes the sounds of young Motown artists in the style's 60s adolescence.

Review: The Freedom Affair's second album lives in the sound of Southern soul. Recorded in four whirlwind days at Memphis' Royal Studios, the Missouri-based band doubles down on grit and grace, bringing their KC-honed fire into the same space that birthed Al Green's classics. Opening with 'With You', the trio of Paula Saunders, Seyko Groves and Shon Ruffin set the tone: unflinching, full-bodied vocal leads that carry across simmering arrangements. 'Picking Up The Pieces' and 'Tell Me I'll Be Yours' offer different shades of heartache and healing, while 'The Water' and 'Don't You Wanna Love Me' show off the band's dynamic range i from sweeping gospel tones to raw, handclap-heavy funk. Horn section veterans Brett Jackson and Pete Carroll deliver tight, melodic lines in a single take, winding through a rhythm section made even more cohesive by Chris Hazelton's switch to Hammond B3. 'Be Who You Are' and 'Anchor' feel like declarations of purpose, soulful and sure-footed, while the closer 'Coming Home' brings it all back to love i and to Royal's vintage tape warmth. Not just revivalist, but reverent and radiant, this is soul with some new stories to tell.