Speak Low

Speak Low (often stylized as SpeakLOW) was a pivotal force in the Spanish deep funk and soul-jazz scene of the 2000s. Formed in Madrid in 2002 and led by Hammond organist Julián Maeso, the ensemble specialized in a gritty, instrumental-heavy sound that paid direct homage to the Prestige and Blue Note soul-jazz catalogs.

Their sound identity is defined by the mechanical 'growl' of the Hammond B3, tight syncopated drumming by Antonio Pax, and sharp, rhythmic guitar work from Jose Funko. Influenced heavily by The Meters and Lonnie Smith, they bridged the gap between traditional jazz fusion and the modern 'deep funk' revival popularized by labels like Daptone and Freestyle Records. Critically, they were lauded for their ability to replicate the specific sonic signatures of 1970s analog recordings, using vintage equipment to achieve a high-saturation, high-energy output. Though they disbanded in 2011, their discography remains a cornerstone for collectors of European funk and Hammond-led jazz.