Album of the Week: It is What it is ⁠— Thundercat & Stand Up For Love — The Haggis Horns

Eastside’s Album of the Week show this week features jazztronica legend Thundercat’s latest release, It is What it is, and The Haggis Horns 70s funk and soul sounds on Stand Up for Love.

Thundercat is a name normally associated with soul, hip-hop and r’n’b. A grammy-winning bassist out of LA who has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, this latest release is an exploration of jazz stylings fused with modern soul. It is What it Is was dedicated to the late great Mac Miller, with features from Childish Gambino, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and jazz guitar prodigy Pedro Martins. Classic jazz chord chaos played via synths makes How Sway a wild foray into what is otherwise a very relaxed and effortless album. Dragonball Durag is the breezy soul track that really allows Thundercat (aka Stephen Lee Bruner)’s bass skills to shine through. A sometimes silly, but heartfelt exploration of grief is what Thundercat has brought us in his latest release, It is What it is.

Famed UK funk seven-piece The Haggis Horns have released their fifth studio album that slides about afrobeat, funk, soul and breakbeat. The group formed in 2004, comprising of jazz trained musicians; Kenny Higgins, Malcolm Strachan, Rob Mitchell, Atholl Ransome, Erroll Rollins, George Cooper, and Ben Barker. This, their latest release features vocals from floating member John McCallum. The two instrumental tracks on the album shine through with a strong horn section and 70s-style funk bass. With James Brown soul-swagger John McCallum adds sensuality to what is otherwise a big-band party album.

Listen back to the show here, and tune in Wednesdays 3-4pm to hear Album of the Week with Bec Cushway.