Snarky Puppy, The Roundhouse

Snarky Puppy concert at the Roundhouse in London in November. 
Over the past decade, Brooklyn’s fusion collective Snarky Puppy has combined sultry seventies electro-nostalgia with some of the sharpest improvisation anywhere on the scene. Followers compare their sound to bands like Weather Report and Chick Corea, who injected a pulsing rock groove and glossy, squelching synth to keep jazz rooted to the beat in their epochal, early 1970s innovations. There’s also a snappy brass lustre reminiscent of urban soul funksters Tower of Power. Snarky Puppy polish this aesthetic, and season it with the newer flavours of world, dubstep and garage. Together with Lalah Hathaway, they won a Grammy this year for their song “Something” from the 2013 album Family Dinner Volume 1. 
With a gutsy line-up of keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, trumpets/flugel and sax, there are plenty of musical textures to play with. Juicy electronic beats, gleaming synth chords, and grimy, swinging brass riffs melt into a constantly changing soundscape. Led by bassist and composer Michael League, Snarky Puppy is usually a nine-piece in performance, but, as a collective, has dozens more regular players throughout US, who dip in and out as required. The fact they can do this at all is testament to the sheer skill of their loose-jointed, sharp-eared ensemble, as the jazz in their generic make-up comes to the fore.  
Which is not to say this band neglects the traditional virtues of the well-crafted piece. They have cultivated a diverse fan base embracing suits and hipsters alike, both groups swaying avidly to their grooves. As well as the Grammy-winning “Something”, they have a repertoire of hooky looping melodies, embellished with smoky brass: “Young Stuff” and “Thing of Gold” are favourites. One of the most exciting new sounds around, this rare London date is guaranteed to sell out. Grab a ticket while you can. 
Snarky Puppy concert tickets have now sold out.