The spirit of classic soul and funk is alive and kicking. Adele and Amy Winehouse continue a chart topping British tradition of retro soul and funk inspired artists which spans Dusty Springfield to Jamiroquai but on the global flip-side is a thriving underground of crate diggin’ soul’n’funk believers, indie labels, magazines (In The Basement, Wax Poetic) on-line shops and blogs, and tight in-the-pocket bands.
Into this dynamic funk fuelled community comes Push – one of mainstays of the Eighties Rare Groove and Acid Jazz scene alongside Brand New Heavies, Young Disciples and Soul II Soul – and they plan to make their mark.
Push were at the heart of a community that thrived on JB inspired funk, Blaxsploitation soundtracks and raw soul-jazz. Formed back in 1987, Push toured Europe and Japan and were regulars onstage at Gilles Peterson’s legendary Talking Loud & Saying Something sessions at Dingwalls. They have worked with the likes of the Style Council’s Paul Weller and Mick Talbot and have long provided the soulful foundation for visiting US divas like Candi Staton and Marlena Shaw. The triumvirate of Crispin Taylor (drums), Ernie McKone (bass) and Mark Vandergucht (guitar) also doubled up as the rhythm section for the innovative Galliano – a conscious and wayward band that sold in excess of 800, 000 albums.
Push are confident that they can carve out a place in the contemporary soul ‘n’ funk firmament.
Push are on a mission and determined to create an international following amongst those people that “Feel the Funk!”