Should ‘Northern Funk’ ever become a movement as definitive as Northern Soul, then Smoove & Turrell will be the men we need to thank for it! The Geordie outfit have been touring intermittently for close to a decade – their leading duo of vocalist John Turrell and producer/percussionist Smoove, delivering PA sets to packed-out festivals for much of that time- and otherwise working hard in the studio for the Jalapeno recording label. It’s the full live band that truly represents their songwriting talents, larger than life presence and understated yet flawless musicianship and we’re chuffed that they return to the venue next month.
Having announced its completion in early January, the boys are to reveal three new songs from their forthcoming album Mount Pleasant on 6Music next Saturday. They’ll also be interviewed about their timely follow up to Crown Posada, but if you simply can’t wait to sink your teeth into it, there’s a healthy wedge of John Turrell solo material, remixes and dubs up on Smoove & Turrell’s Bandcamp page – proving they haven’t been twiddling their thumbs in the interim!
Their support act at Band on the Wall next month couldn’t be better suited to the occasion. The nine-piece Buffalo Brothers share a passion for high-energy funk, retro gear and festival stages, not to mention having also dazzled a Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club crowd.
Revisit footage from Smoove & Turrell’s last show at the venue in November 2016 and pick up tickets here.
