Chin Chin

Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Chin Chin emerged in the mid-2000s as a key player in the city's vibrant jazz-funk and nu-disco scene. While sharing a name with a Swiss punk band and a UK folktronica trio, this incarnation is a large-ensemble powerhouse that bridges the gap between traditional soul-funk and modern electronic production.

Their association with labels like Definitive Jux and Dialect Recordings highlights their cross-genre appeal, sitting comfortably between the hip-hop underground and the sophisticated jazz circuit. Their sound is characterized by complex horn arrangements, a heavy emphasis on the 'one' in the funk tradition, and a vocal style that draws from 80s post-disco and R&B. Critically, they are lauded for their technical proficiency and their ability to translate the energy of a live big-band into a studio environment that feels contemporary. They occupy a similar cultural space to groups like The Sound Stylistics or Speedometer, prioritizing the groove while maintaining a high level of harmonic complexity.