Groove Radar: Funky Picks of the Month - March 2026
Ten fresh funk cuts packed with deep grooves, soulful touches, and rhythm-first energy you'll feel instantly.
Featuring Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All-Stars, NINAVÉ, Sentury, Bailey Hyneman, Funk For Forest, Kolakale Kolective, Mitchum Yacoub, Divina, Soodrummer, Brothers of Funk, Ireke, Agnès Hélène.
This month, I’m diving into 10 more independent artists who are keeping the funk alive and evolving. As always, the sound stretches comfortably into soul and R&B, but the foundation never wavers. Funk, at its core, thrives on locked-in basslines, tight drum grooves, and guitar licks that dance around the beat; that irresistible pocket is everything.
The artists featured this March tap into that essence while pushing their own creative boundaries. One thing remains certain: the groove doesn’t lie and you’ll know it when you hear it.
Follow the playlist Funk That Instantly Makes You Feel Good! Funk / Soul / RnB / Acid Jazz
Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All-Stars - ¡2BEAUCOUP!
This track has all the elements of a classic funk track. Syncopted guitar, a bass that plays in the low register, and intermittent horns. The production feels old school but with a modern feel. The constant vocal harmony is also a nice touch. This track will instantly put you in a good mood with its positive vibes!
Connect with Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All-Stars
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
NINAVÉ - Solar Fragments
This instrumental funk jam is a throwback to the 1980s in the best possible way. The drum sounds and programming sound like it was done on a Linn drum machine, which was one of Prince’s favorite pieces of musical equipment. The synth bass is quite loud in the mix, bringing the low-end funk, very reminiscent of Rick James. This is the definition of a feel-good song.
Connect with NINAVÉ
Spotify
Sentury - Forever Acoustic Mix
This laid-back R&B/funk track is a joy to listen to. So much RnB music is far too overproduced, which is the exact opposite of this track. The finger snaps provide a funky back beat where each vocalist takes turns singing the verses and choruses. The harmonies are old school, sung by great singers who need zero auto-tune on their vocals.
Connect with Sentury
Instagram / Spotify
Bailey Hyneman - Better Days
This is a really beautiful song. The drum groove is a mix of funk and neo Soul. I was impressed by the complex horn arrangements, which were clearly done by a composer that has excellent knowledge of composing. The vocalist has a sultry jazz tone to her voice, which captivates your ear immediately.
A beautiful piece of music.
Connect with Bailey Hyneman
Instagram / Spotify
Funk For Forest - Kragaluf
This song is super funky! The modern production really allows all the instruments in the band to breathe. This is great because it is a very large horn section. The staccato and legato horns hits give you flashbacks of ’70s funk bands Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. The drummer and bass player lay down an unshakable funk groove for the whole song.
Connect with Funk For Forest
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Kolakale Kolective - Your Highness
This excellent funk jam reminds me of the old Funk hit ‘SissyStrut’ by the Meters. The guitarist has perfectly captured the 1960’s guitar tone. I like this song for the simple reason that it has a saxophone solo where the sax player really gets a chance to stretch musically. This is a great tune.
Connect with Kolakale Kolective
Instagram / Spotify
Mitchum Yacoub, Divina - Hurtin'
This song is super interesting because of how many influences are jammed into the same tune! The 16th note halftime beat is very funky while the female vocals add a touch of Neo Soul. The syncopated horn lines almost conjure slow ska vibes. I like listening to bands with real musicians. The trombonist in this song also gets a chance to solo, which is cool in today’s attention span-deprived world.
Connect with Mitchum Yacoub
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Divina
Instagram / Spotify
Soodrummer - Level Up
This track has an excellent synth bass line and sound, which brings the funk. The production is slick, with the female vocal parts adding an RNB flavour to it. The synth melody is quite high in the mix, but it never gets in the way of the main melody. A very cool track.
Connect with Soodrummer
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Brothers of Funk - My Third Eye
This song mixes funk with dance music. It has a cool synth bass line and syncopated hi hat pattern which goes through out the track. The sporadic synths also add to the funkiness. This track will keep a dance floor full at any club.
Connect with Brothers of Funk
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Ireke, Agnès Hélène - Tout est bizarre
This track has Latin and funk influences running throughout it. The singer has a beautiful tone to her voice, which reminds me of Corrine Bailey Rae. The wah guitar part is simple and stripped back, but really adds to the song’s funkiness. Well-placed horn lines also add to the overall groove of the song.
Connect with Ireke
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Agnès Hélène
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Spotify Playlist
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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