RETRO GROOVE ENSAMBLE: IRK PLAYLIST 2

It’s a RETRO GROOVE PLAYLIST featuring an ensemble of world jazz that lets you travel across the globe and through time. Dive into this mix of alternative jazz, soul, and funk movements from Japan to Brazil. This journey also takes you via France and the USA.

Listen to our second IRK playlist that just dropped on our Spotify account!

A Jazz and Funk Infused Playlist

Here, you’ll hear jazz sub-genres from the late ’60s, like Jazz Fusion, with artists such as Herbie Hancock. He is one of the main pioneers of this genre. As the pianist in Miles Davis’s second great quintet in the ’60s, Hancock was inspired by Davis’s experiments with electronic instruments. Thus, he pushed them even further on his album “Head Hunters”.

On it, the track “Chameleon,” a funky fifteen-minute odyssey driven by a synthesizer bassline, was groundbreaking for ’70s jazz. “Chameleon” remains one of the key songs of Jazz-Funk. It brought this niche subgenre to clubs and earned its place in our retro groove playlist.

You’ll also find Fred Wesley & The J.B.’s, a wild band worth discovering. Led by Fred Wesley, James Brown’s musical director during his heyday, Wesley brought together former members of Brown’s band in the ’80s. They created The J.B.’s. In their music, you can hear that they know exactly what they’re doing with funk, while adding a touch of P-Funk energy linked to their past. This is especially evident on “Blow Your Head,” a staple of any retro groove selection.

The Sweetness of Soul and R&B

Get ready to dive into the smoothness and emotion of Soul and R&B, combining vintage elegance with a Neo-Soul attitude. A perfect example of classic Soul is “Oh Honey” by the British band Delegation. Countless artists have sampled this iconic track, making it a key bridge between Soul and Hip-Hop.

These two genres are really not that far apart, and Erykah Badu proves it perfectly with “… & On.” Her Neo-Soul style draws from old-school R&B, funk, and jazz. However, it comes with a contemporary twist that creates a flawless blend of Soul and Hip-Hop, worthy of any retro groove playlist.

One of the essential artists featured is Sade, one of the most iconic Soul and Pop voices of her era. On her track “Paradise,” she blends her Soul roots with Funk influences, setting her apart from other soul-pop artists. It’s an R&B classic guaranteed to spark nostalgia.

A Trip Around the Globe with World Music

This playlist blends a variety of genres designed to transport you straight from your couch. First, we head to Japan with City Pop, a movement born in the late ’70s that wavers between jazz, funk, and soul. It captures the feel of Japan’s luxurious nightlife. “Cadillac Woman” is a perfect example, performed by Noriko Miyamoto, a legend of the genre. She is accompanied by the iconic bassist Isao Suzuki, who played a major role in shaping the Japanese jazz scene from the late ’60s onward.

Another standout is guitarist and composer Masayoshi Takanaka. While he’s often associated with City Pop, his track “Beleza Pula” is a complete departure from his signature style. It’s a reinterpretation of the Brazilian classic “Beleza Pura.” Here, Takanaka injects his trademark energy and replaces Caetano Veloso’s vocals with soaring electric guitar solos. This piece is a vibrant addition to the retro groove journey.

You’ll also hear Piero Umiliani, an Italian composer renowned for Library Music. He mastered both traditional and electronic instruments. The playlist includes both sides of his work: “Mahè,” a soundtrack piece, and “Lady Magnolia,” where he experiments with Moog synthesizers.

Don’t hesitate to check out our other playlists: GIMME A SMILE: IRK Feel-Good Playlist.