Gritty, cinematic funk with a hip-hop heart. Dusty analog grooves and sharp brass stabs that feel like a lost 1970s crime thriller soundtrack.
Connie Price & The Keystones deliver a sound that feels like it was unearthed from a time capsule buried beneath a 1974 Los Angeles recording studio. It is heavy, rhythmic, and unapologetically analog, prioritizing the 'thump' of a kick drum and the 'bite' of a horn section over modern polish. The music balances the raw energy of a live funk jam with the disciplined structure of a hip-hop producer's ear, resulting in tracks that are both danceable and deeply atmospheric.
What sets them apart is their 'deep funk' pedigree. Led by Dan Ubick, the project treats the studio as an instrument, using vintage gear to capture the specific tape-saturated warmth of the classic soul era. While many revivalist acts lean into parody, the Keystones maintain a gritty edge, often collaborating with legendary MCs to bridge the gap between the original breaks of the 70s and the golden era of hip-hop.
Start with 'Tell Me Something' to hear how they integrate high-level lyricism from guests like Big Daddy Kane with their muscular rhythm section. If you prefer pure instrumental vibes, 'Wildflowers' offers a masterclass in cinematic soul that works perfectly as a backdrop for late-night drives or focused creative sessions.
Connie Price and the Keystones is a project helmed by guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Dan Ubick from Los Angeles, California, combining influences of funk, hip-hop, psych and soul. Besides Ubick, it had a revolving membership while they performed as a backing band to Big Daddy Kane from 2008 to 2012. As a studio artist, Connie Price and the Keystones have released original recordings on three albums, two EPs and a number of singles.
Shares drums, organ, jazz fusion, funk (signature)
Shares drums, tape saturation, trumpet, organ (signature)
Shares drums, trumpet, organ, jazz fusion (signature)
Shares organ, jazz fusion, funk, dry intimate (instrumentation)
Shares wah-wah guitar syncopation, trumpet, organ, funk (detail)
Shares trumpet, jazz fusion, funk, soul (instrumentation)
Shares trumpet, organ, funk, saxophone (instrumentation)
Shares trumpet, jazz fusion, funk, dry intimate (instrumentation)
Shares jazz fusion, funk, dry intimate, soul (subgenre)
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