Back catalogue: Funk

Review: The third full-length from London nine-piece Soul Grenades distils over a decade of performance into slick, high-impact modern funk. Their sound - sharp brass, syncopated rhythm, deep-pocket bass - owes as much to the horn-driven grooves of the Meters as to the tightly orchestrated grit of early 2000s revivalists. But it's the band's songwriting, honed through years of gigging, that carries the weight here. 'Dopamine' is an instant opener, kinetic and bright, while 'Jealousy' draws from vintage soul drama with horn stabs and raw vocal flair. On 'Star Gazin'' and 'Be Mine', they shift into a softer register without losing rhythmic tension. 'Death At The Disco' ups the stakes, laced with cinematic flair, and 'Suga Mama' punches through with high-speed strut. Elsewhere, the slow-burn closer 'A Better Day' leans into gospel-funk catharsis, building tension in restrained waves. Everything is dialled in - arrangements tight, solos concise, vocal harmonies blended without fuss. While earlier records mapped out the group's energy on stage, this one moves with the confidence of a studio band in full control. As far as raw pleasure goes, they've hit the brief.

Review: This third collaborative album between Scream & P. Rock takes inspiration from a trip to Brazil, where they collected samples in Rio. As such the sounds blend Brazilian grooves, bass synths, live percussion, funky drums, guitar solos and vintage breaks with raw, experimental touches into an album full of life. The duo's signature sound is a fusion of their own DJing and music production and is ever more refined, having been crafted over the course of a year. Cinematic arrangements and a fresh approach to sampling make this another great chapter in this duo's musical story.