soul / funk
Album Review: Ellen Beth Abdi – Ellen Beth Abdi; Soulful, smoky, and quietly spellbinding.
In a landscape where genre boundaries are dissolving and artists increasingly draw from deep wells of influence, Ellen Beth Abdi’s debut album arrives as a quietly luminous, confident statement. It is not a work that demands attention with volume or bombast—instead, it beckons the listener inward, rewarding those who linger. With a rich blend of …
Album Review: Emma-Jean Thackray – Weirdo; Grief grooves with funk-fueled resilience.
Emma-Jean Thackray’s new album Weirdo is a bold, technicolour triumph — deeply personal, fiercely original, and bursting at the seams with groove-laden jazz funk. Self-produced, self-performed, and self-mixed in the solitude of her South London flat, it’s the work of a visionary artist refusing to compromise. Across 17 tracks, Weirdo is a kaleidoscopic journey through …
Album Review: Neal Francis – Return To Zero: a study in groove heavy cool.
Neal Francis’ Return to Zero is a lush, groove-heavy odyssey that seamlessly blends ’70s rock, funk, and disco into a sound that feels both timeless and immediate. His most ambitious work yet, the album was recorded live in the studio with his touring band, staying true to his deep love for analog recording. The result …
Meet: Ellen Beth Abdi on new single Tenterhooks, songwriting and working with Manchester legends
Despite her youthful years, Ellen Beth Abdi has been a familiar voice in Manchester’s music scene, collaborating with acts like A Certain Ratio and New Order. But now, she’s stepping into the spotlight with Tenterhooks, her debut single’s a track that distills everyday anxieties into something urgent and universal. A song years in the making, …
Track: Let the glorious summer vibes of Jimi Tenor’s new single “Summer of Synesthesia” wash over you
Jimi Tenor’s “Summer of Synesthesia,” out now on Timmion Records, is a stunning blend of psychedelic soul and library music, resplendent with lush summer chords and an electronic sheen that radiates warmth. Over Cold Diamond & Mink’s steady, soulful rhythm, Tenor layers delicate synth textures, creating an intoxicating atmosphere where sounds seem to turn into …