The Haggis Horns are a Leeds-based funk and soul band and horn section that emerged in 1999, founded by Scottish musicians Malcolm Strachan, Atholl Ransome and the late Jason Rae. The group initially developed through club residencies in Leeds and became closely connected with the city's emerging funk and soul scene.
The Haggis Horns first appeared on record as the horn section on The New Mastersounds' debut album, Keb Darge Presents The New Mastersounds, released in 2001. Their playing featured prominently across the album and helped establish the group within the international deep-funk and DJ scene.
Their own music combines deep funk, soul, hip hop, breakbeats and Afrobeat, with a strong emphasis on live brass and rhythm-section playing. The band have described their sound as a distinctive northern funk style, while their releases draw heavily on the groove-based traditions of 1960s and 1970s funk and soul.
The band released their debut album, Hot Damn!, on First Word Records in 2007, followed by Keep On Movin' in 2010. Their third album, What Comes To Mind, was released in 2015 through their own Haggis Records label. The album featured guest appearances from Lucinda Slim, John McCallum, John Turrell, Pete Shand and Snowboy.
The Haggis Horns' musicians have also built an extensive reputation as session and touring players. Members have recorded or performed with artists including Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Jamiroquai, Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend & The Roots, Lou Donaldson, Martha Reeves, Lily Allen, The Cinematic Orchestra, Morcheeba, Roots Manuva and Nightmares On Wax.
Their connection with Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse is particularly notable. Members of the group toured and performed with Ronson, while the band's brass players were part of the wider network of musicians associated with the British soul revival of the 2000s.
The Haggis Horns have also worked extensively with rappers and contemporary artists. Their collaboration with Doc Brown resulted in Stand Up For Love, while later releases have included remixes and collaborations with artists from the UK funk, soul and hip hop scenes.
With their roots in the Leeds club scene and their combination of live funk, heavyweight horn arrangements, breakbeats, Afrobeat and soul, The Haggis Horns have become an important part of the UK modern funk revival, while their work as a session and touring horn section has connected them to a much wider range of British and international music.