Laura Vane & the Vipertones

Laura Vane & the Vipertones are a prominent example of the 'Deep Funk' and 'Modern Soul' revival that flourished in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The project is a unique transnational collaboration between British vocalist Laura Vane (known for her work with The Streets and Gnarls Barkley) and Dutch producers/musicians Phil Martin and Ton Van Der Kolk.

Their sound is characterized by a meticulous adherence to analog recording aesthetics, featuring live instrumentation, vintage gear, and a focus on the 'groove' as a foundational element. Unlike the more psychedelic or experimental wings of modern soul, the Vipertones prioritize songcraft and accessibility, leaning into the pop-inflected soul of the Motown and Stax eras while maintaining the aggressive syncopation of James Brown-style funk. Critically, they are recognized for bridging the gap between the UK's soul-pop tradition and the European mainland's obsession with rare groove and funk collecting. Their discography, particularly 'Sugar Fix', solidified their position as peers to acts like Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, though with a distinctively brighter, more European production sheen.