Funk, Soul & Jazz

As the lines often blur between these genres we thought it wise to bring them together as one person’s soul is another person’s funk. We don’t want you to miss anything cool so this is the place to be.

Featured Soul Mix

We are excited to share this golden nugget of a soul mix. Pure feel good, melt away soul from yesteryear and this is only Mix No1! Mark Lancaster has knocked it out of the park with this superbly created mix that gripped me from start to finish. We can’t wait to dive into his Mixcloud channel for more.

Mark's Mixcloud

Featured Videos

Some amazing vids for your aural and visual pleasure.

One to check: Cymande – Dove

The sensational British funk group Cymande (See-man-day) was one of the first to merge African rhythms with funk, reggae, and soul. Also with members from locations such as Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent, the self-taught nine-man lineup included Steve Scipio (bass), Ray King (vocals, percussion), Derek Gibbs (sax), Pablo Gonsales (percussion), Joey Dee (vocals, percussion), Peter Serreo (sax), Sam Kelly (drums), Mike Rose (sax, flute), and Patrick Patterson (guitar). Their album covers were pretty cool, check out more here.

Focus on Quincy Jones

What can we say about this record producer, musician and film producer, and galvanizer of people that has not already been said? Having discovered many people's careers and worked with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, and of course Michael Jackson.

Where it all began

At the age of 11 whilst living in poverty broke into a community centre with his brother and whilst munching away on stolen pie, discovered a piano and in turn an inner peace.

Behind the best

In the 60s Q was responsible for many notable classics that included the likes of 'Fly Me To The Moon' by Frank Sinatra and 'Mad about the boy' from Dina Washington to name a couple.

Grammys

Most people in the industry would realise their life long dream of winning a coveted Grammy award! Q has been nominated an amazing 80 times and has taken away 30 Grammy awards.

All that jazz

Q's roots were in jazz music when the jazz piano legend Count Basie took Q under his wing at the age of just 13 years old. Whilst still a teenager he managed to work with Duke Ellington among others.

Thriller

Quincy brought the best out of Michael Jackson producing the record-breaking album Thriller (Michael's first No1 album) selling 66 million copies is the No1 selling album of all time.

TV & Film

Q's work spreads far and wide from discovering the likes of Oprah Winfrey by convincing Stephen Speilberg to give her the starring role in The Color Purple to the urban sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Grab it on catch up: Mr Dynamite

Born in 1933 in South Carolina into poverty and being abandoned by his parents, then raised in a brothel, James Brown‘s life was always going to be an interesting and eventful one. But could anybody ever have predicted the great man’s ascent to fame and becoming one of the most influential men in music history?

Sky Arts bring you a well-balanced program including band member interviews and extensive performance footage.

JB On Sky Arts