It isn’t too often that we get a track, so rich in funk and soul, that hits all the right notes, and makes you want to explore the rest of the album it’s taken from, in its magnificent entirety!
‘Synthonic – Lampin’ is such a track. As the title track of this group’s latest album release, it perfectly encapsulates everything you’d come to expect from a funk project. It’s steeped in neo-acid jazz influences, with top-notch collaborators here, such as Jack Birchwood(trumpets) and Xenopoulos (saxophone). Synthonic is the brainchild of British artist, pianist, and producer Kieron Garett. As such, he does a brilliant job here, bringing together fantastically talented instrumentalists and combining their additions with his smooth piano melodies and solos with a retro-futuristic production style. The result? An immersive, highly entertaining opus that feels fresh, future-ready, and contemporary but still rooted in the ’90s groove and jazz fusions.
At over 5 minutes runtime, there’s plenty to savour here. The track opens with an expansive, ethereal arrangement before cheekily sidechaining it to a whole other piece. A smoother, groovier, more down-tempo arrangement that sets the tone for confident horn lines to gradually expand the opus. It moves at a steady, unhurried tempo, as the instrumentals ride on slick, minimal beats with the subtlest of layered effects adding the coolest character and personality. Like watching an expert ice skater pull off the sleekest of moves with an air of unmatched confidence and ease.
The injection of Garrett’s impressive piano solos adds an irresistible class and lightness to the mix as well. ‘Synthonic – Lampin’ feels like the most appropriate intersection of jazz, funk, and neo-soul we’ve encountered so far. This is a great listen for quiet introspective moments or drives or even to play in the background at an intimate evening gathering. There’s a little something for everybody in this one.
We highly recommend that you give this track and the rest of this innovative album a close listen!
Stream ‘Synthonic – Lampin’ on Spotify here:
