Search results: smoove & turrell

Review: Newcastle upon Tyne's Smoove & Turrell originally released their sweltering soul power anthem 'Beggerman' which appeared on the Antique Soul album. The track is now getting a vinyl reissue 12 years later, thanks to JalapeNo Records. On the flip, you have got another classic from their back catalogue in the form of 'Higher' taken from the Eccentric Audio album and it is arguably their most slept on track, or, what they would probably best describe themselves as "North East Ghetto Soul".

Review: Jalapeno superfunkers Smoove & Turrell celebrate a decade of their unique, fast lane dancefloor soul with this epic 18 track double LP that digs deep into their extensive five album body of work so far. Powerful, hooky and characterised consistently by John Turrell's gutsy, heart-punching vocal style, across the set we're blessed with everything from sparkling disco ("Beggarman") to stomping northern soul ("I'm A Man") via lavish 80s style funk and straight up Hammond slapping sweaty funk ("Lay It On Me"). A fittingly supersize sized set to celebrate a landmark anniversary for the northern troupe; here's to another 10 years.

Review: Smoove & Turrell return with a killer single, which opens with the gospel backing of label mate Izo FitzRoy before John's incredible voice and social lyricism and Smoove's unmistakeable production lift us up into 'The Light'. Legendary US Blue Note keyboard genius Ronnie Foster joins the party as only he can; one of the very few instrumental guests Smoove has ever wanted (or needed) beyond his own band. With frontman John Turrell repurposing the cynicism towards the powers-that-be - be it the media or parliament - to positive ends, this is a veritable paean and urgent call to "rise above it and let the light shine in", in his own words.

Review: Smoove's latest LP, the retro-modern funk take that is First Class, is primed for a spacious yet packed dancefloor. Smoove's deft emulatory production skills are once again put on full display, collecting vocal samples and original backing tracks from genres like funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop to produce something to the tune of 15 or so remixes. Bustling interpretations of Kraak & Smaak, Una Mas Trio, and Brenda Boykin render this a headsy yet unpretentious dance dazzler.