10 Musical Artists Who Are Keeping Funk Alive
4. The Soul Snatchers
The Netherlands might not be the first place a funk fan would expect to find hip grooves, but The Soul Snatchers are a testament to the fact that, yes, funk & soul can come from the Lowlands. The dapper gentlemen of this 9-piece effort bring more than class and style to their music. Like many horn-heavy outfits, the traces of James Brown, Tower Of Power, and Earth, Wind & Fire permeate their "swampy" style.
Slow and deliberate are The Soul Snatchers' trademarks, but the relaxed tempos belie the fact that a crawling tune can carry just as much energy as a fast-paced banger. Heavy-footed drum work, generous use of sixteenth note rhythms, and ample funky chords are amplified by hard hitting brass and soulful, loafing lyrics that bring out the melody.
Their 2012 release, Scratch My Itch, and 2015 album, Where Y'at? are the ultimate examples of the style in action. Listeners will note the interplay between the bass and vocals on tracks like Humpin' & Bumpin', while entries like The Chase demonstrate the distinctive percussion that blazes the trail for the rest of the band to follow.
Drummer Phil Martin and bassist Ton van der Kolk show how essential a tight pocket is to the furtherance an impactful, toe-tapping groove.