![[Column] Modern Soul / Contemporary Funk](/../assets/images/column-modern-soul-contemporary-funk.webp)
Introduction
Text: mmr｜Theme: Rhythm, performance, and production aesthetics that redefine soul and funk in the 21st century
Modern Soul and Contemporary Funk refer to styles that evolved into a modern sound image from the late 1990s to the 2010s, incorporating elements of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, neo-soul, and beat music while inheriting the soul/funk tradition.
Representative artists include Hiatus Kaiyote, Anderson .Paak, as well as D”Angelo, Robert Glasper, Thundercat, Vulfpeck, Cory Henry, The Internet, and more.
1. Definition and background
1-1. What is Modern Soul?
Modern Soul is a musical style based on the soul/R&B tradition that incorporates contemporary sound design, non-cyclic chord progressions, and strong influences from beat music culture. It is positioned as an evolution of neo-soul since the 2000s.
Features
- Smooth texture, coexistence of electronic and acoustic
- Complicated chord work (tension, quarter tone, etc.)
- Drumming that can be assembled in 16-32 minute increments
- Jazz interplay
- Non-root bass line, melodic bass
- There are many works that have a higher emphasis on “band performance” than R&B.
1-2. What is Contemporary Funk?
Contemporary Funk inherits the elements of 1970s funk (groove, repetition, downbeat emphasis, slap bass, horn section),
- Minimal/tight rhythm
- Clear recording, precise control of compression/saturation *Hip-hop loop feel
- Hybrid of live performance and DAW editing 21st century funk with
In particular, ““minimal funk with a reduced number of sounds” typified by Vulfpeck, and ““funk integrated with soul/hip-hop” such as Anderson .Paak and Thundercat are notable.
2. Genealogy and historical development
2-1. Late 1990s: Rise of neo-soul
The neo-soul music pioneered by D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell blurred the boundaries between jazz, funk, and R&B, and opened up new horizons with production that emphasized an analog feel.
established here
- Hip hop beat feel
- Jazz chords
- Analog texture
- Loose groove became the basis of Modern Soul.
2-2. 2010s: New trends and band sounds from Australia
Melbourne’s musical community (Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bamboos, etc.), with their jazz-honed playing skills, multicultural background, and electronic music influences, formed the core of Modern Soul, which has been described as ““complex but pop.’’
Especially the appearance of Hiatus Kaiyote.
- Polyrhythm
- Very complex code
- Detailed arrangement It has had a great impact internationally, linking the city with Seoul.
2-3. Anderson .Paak and the West Coast Community
Anderson Paak is
- Soul Funk
- west coast hip hop
- Jazz/Gospel By integrating the elements of the band, he expanded Contemporary Funk into the pop field with his unique style as both a drummer and a singer.
3. Musical characteristics (rhythm, harmony, structure)
3-1. Rhythm
Features
- Dilla beat (snare with a bit of delay)
- Compound meter, polyrhythm
- Large use of ghost notes
- 32 minute swings
Modern Soul Rhythm Structure
3-2. Harmony
- Frequent tension chords such as 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th
- Chords derived from melodic minor
- Jazz quarter harmony
- Rootless Voicing
- Chromatic inversion and modal approach
3-3. Baseline
- Emphasis on “interlock with drum”
- Heavy use of slide, hammering/pulling
- Mainly Fender electric bass tones
- Melodic approach (e.g. Thundercat)
3-4. Vocal
- Multiple chorus
- Melody leap (characteristic of Hiatus Kaiyote)
- Frequent use of scat/vibrato/falsetto
- Subdivision of syllables
4. Production features
The production of Modern Soul/Contemporary Funk is a perfect fusion of DAW and live music.
4-1. Drum recording/editing
- Multi-mic recording
- Transient Shaper
- Snare delay placement
- Analog saturation processing
4-2. Guitar/Keyboard
- Electric piano (Rhodes), analog synth, wah guitar
- Minimal structure mainly based on riffs
- Precise placement of stereo space
4-3. Base
- “Thickness” management by compression *Set sidechain processing to be weaker
- Sound image that emphasizes the midrange
4-4. Vocal processing
- Multiple stages of compression (Serial Compression)
- Use tape plug-in for analog feel
- Natural processing of pitch correction
5. Major artist analysis
5-1. Hiatus Kaiyote
Features
- Future soul band from Melbourne
- Polyrhythm and advanced harmony
- Vocalist Nai Palm’s distinctive melody line
Musicality
- The song structure is a suite-like structure in which multiple sections are connected.
- Complex accents on drums
- Atypical synth/guitar voicings
- Heavy use of offbeat
Structure of Hiatus Kaiyote
5-2. Anderson .Paak
Features
- Drummer and singer
- Soul/Funk/Hip-Hop integration
- Arrangement with emphasis on groove
Musicality
- Hard snare, hi-hat in 16 minute increments
- Funk minimal structure
- Gospel chorus
- Brass emphasis
Anderson .Paak Music Elements
6. Geographical background
6-1. Melbourne
- Rich jazz education
- Hybrid music from multinational cultures
- Band-based community
6-2. Los Angeles
- A hub of hip-hop, soul, and jazz
- Studio culture (multiple prominent studios) *Thundercat, communities around Kamasi Washington
6-3. International sharing through the Internet
- Band culture spreads through YouTube, Bandcamp, etc.
- The spread of DAW and home recording has made it possible to share production across borders.
7. Representative discography (excerpts/facts only)
*No link
Hiatus Kaiyote
- Tawk Tomahawk (2012)
- Choose Your Weapon (2015)
- Mood Valiant (2021)
Anderson .Paak
- Venice (2014)
- Malibu (2016)
- Oxnard (2018)
- Ventura (2019)
Surrounding artists
Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio* (2012) Thundercat – *Drunk (2017) Vulfpeck – *Hill Climber (2018) The Internet – *Ego Death (2015)
8. Chronology (Modern Soul / Contemporary Funk development history)
| Year | Events (facts) |
|---|---|
| 1995–1999 | Establishment of Neo-Soul by D”Angelo, Erykah Badu and others |
| 2000–2009 | The fusion of hip-hop and jazz progresses, and the sound image of soul becomes more diverse |
| 2011 | Hiatus Kaiyote begins operations in Melbourne |
| 2012 | Robert Glasper Experiment “Black Radio” released |
| 2014 | Anderson .Paak “Venice” announced |
| 2015 | Hiatus Kaiyote “Choose Your Weapon” announced |
| 2016 | Anderson .Paak “Malibu” announced |
| 2017 | Thundercat “Drunk” announced |
| 2021 | Hiatus Kaiyote “Mood Valiant” announced |
| 2020s | Band culture and DAW editing become more integrated and spread worldwide |
9. Summary
Modern Soul / Contemporary Funk is
- Neo Soul Spirit
- jazz harmony
- Funk groove
- Hip hop beat feel
- Latest production technology It is a hybrid style that integrates.
Hiatus Kaiyote”s complex, avant-garde future soul, Anderson .Paak”s soulful and funky band approach. They represent an iconic style of 21st century soul/funk that continues to influence musicians around the world.
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