Groove Radar: Funky Picks of the Month - August 2025
Our August 2025 Groove Radar rounds up the month's standout tracks that prove one thing: the groove is eternal.
Featuring Deniece Pearson, Alex Fernet, Rex & The Rhythm, Doja Cat, KAYTRANADA, TAVE, Jon Batiste, Tyler, The Creator, Mondo Freaks, and Parcels.
I'm always impressed with the way funk music can alter your emotions. It's almost impossible to put on James Brown's 'Living in America' and feel bad at the same time. The drum groove in funk always makes you want to move your body while the chords and vocal melodies resonate with your soul.
I've picked some modern funk, which incorporates other influences like jazz, soul, R&B, and pop to help your day feel a little bit better.
Funk That Instantly Makes You Feel Good! Funk / Soul / RnB / Acid Jazz
Like a Child - Deniece Pearson
This is a great tune, especially if you are a fan of '90s funk/R&B. The song starts with a super raw and funky guitar riff. The drum beat enters a few bars in and is heavily laid back, adding to the funkiness. The rap in the middle section gives a flashback of Lisa Lopes from TLC.
Deniece Pearson's vocals are so enchanting, it is easy to see why she won a Brit Award and was nominated for a Grammy. A great funky track!
Connect with Deniece Pearson
Instagram / Facebook / X / Spotify / Website
Hey Lady - Alex Fernet
Photo Credit: Riccardo Michelazzo
I like this track as it mixes 80s sounds and new wave with funk. Although not a traditional funk jam, its raw drum beat and production definitely make it funky.
The bridge section in the middle reminds me a little of early 'Police' with a stripped-down guitar riff. The synth sounds also help create a good time vibe.
Connect with Alex Fernet
Instagram / Spotify
Without You - Rex & The Rhythm
This is a killer, funky pop track! The beat sounds like a classic James Brown beat slowed down. The singer effortlessly moves from falsetto to head voice, giving early Stevie Wonder vibes.
I also like how the track is recorded with real instruments. It sounds like musicians who have spent a lot of time doing gigs together and recording in the studio.
Rex is a seriously talented dude, as he is the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Connect with Rex & The Rhythm
Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / Website
Jealous Type - Doja Cat
I always liked Doja Cat because I feel it's hard to pigeonhole her music. This track is clearly influenced by the 1980s with its heavy synth use and constant vocal harmony. It is almost reminiscent of Sheila E's 'Glamorous Life'.
The electric bass part and straight drum groove make this an easy song to dance to. A great funky track!
Connect with Doja Cat
Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / Website
TARGET JOINT - KAYTRANADA
This is an interesting track because it mixes Afrobeat with funk. The bass line sounds very similar to the legendary UK Funk band Incognito. The offbeat hi-hat accents and rim click are what give this song the funk.
The horns and keyboards create catchy melodies that will have you dancing in your kitchen!
Connect with KAYTRANADA
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / Website
Fly Away (feat. Tia Gordon) - TAVE
This song has incredible raw production, which mixes RnB and funk. Tave is a super talented musician who enlisted soul singer Tia Gordon on this track.
I enjoyed listening to the smooth vocals, which are heavily prominent in the mix. You can tell that Tia is a well-trained vocalist. This is refreshing in a time where artists are using 'Auto tune' live to make up for a lack of talent.
This is a great track and would be welcomed by all Neo Soul fans who love artists like Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild.
Connect with TAVE
X / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / Website
Connect with Tia Gordon
Instagram / Spotify
BIG MONEY - Jon Batiste
This song is ridiculously funky! It's also so soulful it might just give you goosebumps!
Musician Jon Batiste is a true master of his craft. The storytelling in this song connects listeners on an emotional level due to its hard truths. The rawness of the production, infused with blues guitar, creates an authentic funk feel.
The call and response chorus make this a super fun song to listen to.
Connect with Jon Batiste
Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / Website
Ring Ring Ring - Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, the Creator, is synonymous with catchy hooks. This song is heavily produced with drum machines and synthesizers. It sounds like classic 1980's funk/pop.
The use of falsetto vocals makes it pleasant to listen to. Although there are a lot of instruments on this track, it still has a nice flow and isn't overproduced.
Connect with Tyler, The Creator
Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify
Won't You Decide - Mondo Freaks
This track is really a hidden gem created by Australian soul/funk band Mondo Freaks.
The vocals are dripping with soul from multi-instrumentalist and producer Aaron Mendoza. The simple quarter note beat on the drums really lets the bass and keyboards groove.
This is a band of serious musicians with chops who also know how to write great melodies.
Connect with Mondo Freaks
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Summerinlove - Parcels
This is a slow funk jam. The falsetto vocals are similar to early Bee Gees. A funky guitar riff throughout the song really gives it momentum. The production is very simple, only using a minimal amount of real instruments. This helps the song breathe and find its groove.
It is slower than most of the other songs mentioned, but funky nonetheless.
Connect with Parcels
Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / 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
In this blog section we host new music releases, artist features and handpicked playlists by the Musicngear staff.
Interested in a music feature, writing a story as a guest or joining the Musicngear team as a Contributing Author? Contact us at info+blog@musicngear.com
