The Souljazz Orchestra

As a lifelong soul boy - poet, actor, presenter Craig Charles has been adding to his trunk of funk music since his youth, and now after almost 20 years hosting his world renowned BBC6 Music and Radio 2 shows, DJing at clubs and festivals around the globe his reputation as an ambassador for all things soulful & funky is indisputable.

With 11 upbeat jams, Big Mean Sound Machine has delivered an energetic but never obtrusive summer soundtrack. The 10-piece Ithaca, NY-based band’s fourth record, Runnin’ For the Ghost, flirts with genres ranging from soul to funk to Afrobeat to Ethiopian big band, while remaining steadfastly married to the groove. Every track is anchored by flittering, relentless drums and rock-solid bass work. The horns swap solos and come together to wring out booming melodic lines, while the guitar pounds out a rhythm line like a typewriter, content with quick solos in the song’s back end.