Groove Radar: Funky Picks of the Month - September 2026
The funk tracks I’ve picked this month will definitely make you feel good!
Featuring Apollo Liberace, BAUGS, Piqi Miqi, Sunshine Makers, Cole Williams, James Tutson, Sladek, Sunny Day, Elena Pinderhughes, Patchwork Inc., and Manasseh.
September has brought another fantastic collection of independent releases, with artists continuing to push the boundaries between funk, soul, R&B, and contemporary pop. From infectious grooves and soulful vocals to fresh production and irresistible bass lines, there’s plenty here to discover.
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Funk That Instantly Makes You Feel Good! Funk / Soul / RnB / Acid Jazz
Apollo Liberace - Smashin
This artist has an effortlessly cool falsetto. The 16th-note drum groove brings the funk, while the keyboards play some nice R&B chord progressions. Wait for the chorus; this is where the funk really kicks in! The synth bass lines are heavily layered, creating a fat and funky groove that you won’t forget anytime soon. This is a great track!
Connect with Apollo Liberace
Instagram | Spotify
BAUGS - Neon Sign
Photo credit: Kriztelle Halili
The 16th note drum beat on this song instantly makes it funky. I really love the understated guitar part that sounds like it would fit perfectly at home on Michael Jackson's‘ Off the Wall’ album. This song is very well crafted by some seriously talented musicians.
It sounds current, with nods to the 1980s with its synth-heavy melodies. Wait for the pitch shifter on the keyboard solo at the 3.19 mare….it’s super funky!
Connect with BAUGS
Instagram | Spotify
Piqi Miqi - So
This track does a great job mixing RnB, Neo Soul, and Funk. The main keyboard riff plays a repetitive, syncopated vamp. This is perfect, as it doesn’t get in the way of the vocal melody. The drum beat is played purposely late to give it that Neo Soul groove. It sounds like the progression has a lot of Dominant 7 chords, which create a feeling of constant movement. A cool track.
Connect with Piqi Miqi
Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Sunshine Makers - The Love We Give
This song starts with a super funky drumbeat. It is filled with ghost notes, and the open hi-hat is reminiscent of the grooves of James Brown. I love the effect on the bass guitar, which sounds to me like a flanger mixed with an envelope filter. The vocals are clean and high in the mix. The backing vocals create nice subtle harmonies.
This is a great feel-good tune.
Connect with Sunshine Makers
Instagram | Spotify
Cole Williams - Radical Acceptance
This track does a great job of mixing funk, RnB and soul. The guitar part is incredibly funky and holds the song together. The vocals are so incredibly soulful and emotive. It’s great to hear lyrics that mean something! The drum beat is broken to the point that it is hard to tell if it is programmed or a real drummer; either way, it is very cool. Wait till the end of the song for incredible horn arrangements. A great track!
Connect with Cole Williams
Instagram | Spotify
James Tutson - Late Bloomer
This song is the perfect mix of Funk, RnB and Soul. The vocalist has such a beautiful tone that will make a skeptic a lifelong fan! The harmonies are tight with close intervals, which create a thick wall of sound. I like how the horns double the vocal melody in the chorus, a classic staple of soul music.
The drummer creates a funky, infectious groove that runs through the entire song. Check out this great funky jam!
Connect with James Tutson
Instagram | Spotify
Sladek - What Are You Doing?
This Funk track feels like it would feel right at home on a 1960s Motown compilation. It definitely sounds more analogue than digital. The production is slick without being overproduced. It has an interesting double-time drum beat which mixes well with the guitar and bass.
The singer has an effortless falsetto hitting notes in the high register. The songwriting on this track is first-class. A great tune.
Connect with Sladek
Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Sunny Day - EMNMOE ft. Emrik, ft. Sveket
The off-beat hi-hat pattern really makes this track stand out Funky. Obviously, the horns and guitar part also add to the funk. This song is a track that you would play at a barbecue or a DJ would spin to get the dance floor moving. I like the flute solo at the 2.37 mark, as it reminds me of early GilScott Heron. This is a cool band with serious musicians. Check it out!
Connect with EMNMOE
Spotify
Connect with Emrik
Instagram | Spotify
Connect with SVEKET
Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Elena Pinderhughes - life goes on (feat. Immanuel Wilkins)
This instrumental track mixes Funk, RnB and Latin music seamlessly. I am a big fan of the flute melody in this song, as I feel it sits perfectly in the upper register, not competing with other instruments. The drummer has serious chops, going from old-school funk to samba-like drum grooves.
The band is tight, playing through multiple sections for nearly 5 minutes. Although there are a ton of changes in this song, the whole vibe is created by great musicians being funky!
Connect with Elena Pinderhughes
Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Connect with Immanuel Wilkins
Instagram | Spotify
Patchwork Inc. - Time feat. Manasseh
This song mixes old-school R&B with Funk. It has a cool, laid-back drum beat that is not too busy, which interacts perfectly with the bass line. The production is modern, although it sounds like it has retro plugins running through some of the sounds.
I was impressed with the vocal harmonies, which are super soulful. A great track to have on during a house party.
Connect with Patchwork Inc.
Instagram | Spotify
Connect with Manasseh
Instagram | Spotify
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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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