Gritty Geordie vocals meeting heavy breakbeat grooves. It is Northern Funk that feels like a packed pub at peak hour: warm, soulful, and ready to move.
Smoove & Turrell deliver a sound they've dubbed 'Northern Funk,' a high-octane blend of classic soul grit and modern electronic production. It sounds like a crate-digger's dream, where dusty 45s are resurrected through punchy drum programming and thick, melodic basslines. The music carries the weight of the North East of England, balancing working-class honesty with an irrepressible urge to dance.
What truly sets them apart is the chemistry between Smoove’s beat-making precision and John Turrell’s powerhouse vocals. Turrell possesses a voice that sounds like it’s been cured in tobacco and whiskey, evoking the raw emotional power of Otis Redding while maintaining a distinctly British, conversational charm. This isn't just a retro-soul exercise; it’s a living, breathing fusion that incorporates elements of hip-hop, house, and jazz into a cohesive, soulful whole.
Start with 'Antique Soul' to hear the foundation of their partnership, particularly the breakout hit 'I Can't Give You Up.' It perfectly captures their ability to create instant classics that feel like they've existed for decades while sounding completely fresh in a modern club setting.
Smoove & Turrell are a British group hailing from Gateshead in the North East of England. They play a style of music they describe as "Northern Funk" - a contemporary fusion of funk, soul, northern soul, hip-hop and electronica. The band is composed of Jonathan Scott Watson (known as Smoove) and singer / songwriter John Turrell. The studio and touring band also includes founder member Mike Porter (Keyboards), Lloyd Wright (Guitar), Neil Harland (Bass) and Oscar Cassidy (Drums). Previous members include Athol Cassidy (Guitar), Andy Champion (Bass), Lloyd Croft (Drums), Dave Wilde (Sax) and Tim McVicar (Bass). They have released seven studio albums: Antique Soul (Jalapeno Records, 2009), Eccentric Audio (Jalapeno Records, 2011), Broken Toys (Jalapeno Records, 2014), Crown Posada (Jalapeno Records, 2016), Mount Pleasant (Jalapeno Records, 2018), Stratos Bleu (Jalapeno Records, 2020) and Red Ellen (Jalapeno Records, 2023).
Shares funk, soul, soulful, joyful (subgenre)
Shares funk, soul, soulful, joyful (subgenre)
Shares funk, soul, soulful, joyful (subgenre)
Shares funk, soul, soulful, live recording (subgenre)
Shares funk, soul, soulful, live recording (subgenre)
Shares funk, soul, soulful, live recording (subgenre)
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