The Modern Soul & Funk Revival

Soul and funk have never stood still. While their foundations were built in the legendary recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, a new generation of musicians, producers and independent labels has continued to evolve the sound.

The Modern Soul & Funk Revival celebrates the artists and labels that shaped a sound dedicated to authenticity and rhythm sections built for the dancefloors.

Whether the vocals were warm and inviting, powerful and commanding, or just plain funky, the musicians set the pace and the vocalists found their authenticity within the groove, backed by instrumental funk groups, producers and groove-focused collectives who shared an appreciation for live performance, rich arrangements and the enduring power of funk and soul.

From the analogue soul recordings of Daptone Records and Colemine Records to the instrumental funk explorations of The Mighty Mocambos and The New Mastersounds, the groove-laden productions of The Bamboos and the deep crate-digging influence of Kenny Dope Gonzalez, these artists represent different paths through the same musical landscape.

For some of these artists, it is not simply an appreciation of vinyl as an analogue format, with its warmer sound and greater sense of depth. It is about going back to the source: achieving a truly analogue recording in the studio, capturing the instruments in the way they were recorded in the 1960s and 70s, and removing digital technology from as much of the process as possible.

That philosophy reaches back to a time when the best studio engineers gave enormous importance and attention to the recording environment, the acoustics of the room and the placement of every microphone, all in pursuit of a sound that felt as close to a live performance as possible.

You want to hear the resonance, clarity, depth and scope of the room as the drummer kicks the kick, strikes the snare and rides the hi-hat, flowing naturally through his groove. Each instrument has its own voice, depth and shape, individually defined in its musical contribution yet connected to the others as if they were one family, moving harmoniously within the groove.

The end result should feel as though you are standing in the studio with the band, hearing them play together in a single take.

That approach gives depth, warmth, a raw edge and a natural shape to each instrument—qualities that, for many, were gradually lost with the pursuit of so-called digital perfection. 

As digital recording, editing and mastering became increasingly dominant, the ability to quantize a drum loop, balance and normalize the levels of a bassline, drum kit, horn section or organ swell brought new levels of technical precision, but sometimes at the expense of the raw edge, authentic character and soul that made the original recordings so special.

Not everyone will hear or feel the difference, but it is there. And once you hear it, you cannot go back. For me, it is the difference between a budget whiskey and a Macallan Rare Cask, or a V.S.O.P Cognac and a Louis XIII. It’s not simply about perfection; it is about character, depth, provenance and the feeling that something real happened in the room.

United by a respect for the traditions that shaped funk, soul and rhythm & blues, these artists do not simply recreate the past—they salute, honour and reinterpret it.

Through carefully crafted recordings, independent releases and a commitment to authentic sound, this new generation keeps the spirit of classic groove alive while pushing it into new territory.

Today we are blessed with an ever growing number of bands whose passion for Funk and Soul is producing more and more quality cuts on both LP and 45, however here are 10 essential bands worth checking out:

Speedometer (UK) recording since 2000
The New Mastersounds (UK) recording since 2000
The Dap Kings (US) recording since 2001
The Soul Investigators (Finland) recording since 2001
Lettuce (US) recording since 2002
The Bamboos (Australia) recording since 2004
The Mighty Mocambos (Germany) recording since 2005 as (The Mocambo All Stars)
The Haggis Horns (UK) recording since 2005
The Soul Surfers (Russia) recording since 2011
The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble (US) recording since 2013

Three Bonus Bands to find next:
Cookin' On 3 Burners (Australia) recording since 2000
Osaka Monaurail (Japan) from 2000 to 2022
Connie Price & The Keystones (US) recording since 2002

Dig deeper into these groups to find the founders, producers, musicians, side projects, collaborations and special appearances on new independent funk 45 labels.

For collectors, DJs and listeners searching for music with character, these records offer a connection between eras: the warmth of vintage soul, the energy of funk and the creativity of a modern generation continuing the story.