The Smoove and Turrell story began in the post-millennium North East of England with a group of working-class lads and a shared passion for soul. Their “Northern funk” combines elements of funk, Northern soul, and hip-hop for a classic sound with a contemporary twist, becoming a staple and a figurehead of the thriving Northern English funk and soul scene in the early 2010s. The band revolves around the core duo of DJ/producer Jonathan Scott Watson (aka Smoove) and vocalist/lyricist John Turrell, both of whom already had substantial careers in music by the time they met.
Their debut Antique Soul was released in 2009 on Jalapeno Records. It was in fellow soul head Craig Charles that they found their first radio champion as he supported them heavily on ‘The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show’ which was a kick-starter for their assault on national radio eventually landing Radio 2 record of the week (twice) and a playlist on 6 Music with their debut album.
Venue Details
Social is operated by Sesh Events UK, which runs the hugely popular annual Humber Street Sesh grassroots festival, as well as The Sesh Weekly music nights and Made in Hull, Trinity Live and Hull City Sesh Events.
