Tiwayo - Up For Soul (Record Kicks) [Soul / Funk]

Tiwayo is hitting the ground running in 2026 with new music, and if you missed the first single from his forthcoming album then check my review, it goes deep. Born in Paris, he headed over to Texas and Adrián Quesada's Austin studio to get involved with the city's real deal soul crew and funkateers for the the new album and so far it's a trip back in time to the twentieth century golden age of black music.

Where, "I've Got to Travel Alone" was a heart wrenching, downtempo bluesy soul head nodder, Tiwayo has upped the funk and headed straight to the dance floor with "Up For Soul". Musician banter gives us a taste of the studio vibe, before Jay Mumford's classic funk drums immediately set a brisk tempo and invite the movers and shakers to do just that. Sustained organ notes then pave the way for Tiwayo to stamp his raw soul charm on the groove and even if you're under fifty you'll soon be "Up for (classic) soul" too. Terin Moswen Ector's bass bumps hard and Joshy Soul works wonders on his Hammond, over the tight groove, the track loosening up near the end with some instrumental flourishes with our boy letting us know he can do the business on guitar too. From deep soul burners to dance floor winners, Tiwayo can do it all.

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Playlist Companion

Find Tiwayo in the Slow Grooves Playlist.