The Reddings

The Reddings sound like the exact moment when the grit of 70s funk met the polished, neon-lit precision of the early 80s. It is music built from the bottom up, anchored by Dexter Redding’s monstrously agile slap bass that feels like it’s bouncing off the walls. While they carry the weight of their father’s legendary name, their sound is firmly rooted in the dance floor, trading acoustic warmth for sharp, interlocking rhythms and shimmering synthesizers.

What truly sets them apart is the technical interplay between the rhythm section. Unlike many of their contemporaries who leaned heavily on drum machines, The Reddings maintained a raw, hand-played tightness that made their grooves feel elastic and alive. There is a specific 'rubbery' quality to their production, where the bass and drums lock in so tightly they sound like a single, percussive machine, yet the vocals retain a smooth, soulful accessibility.

Start with their 1980 debut, 'The Awakening'. The title track is a masterclass in bass technique that has influenced generations of players, while 'Remote Control' offers the perfect entry point into their high-energy, disco-adjacent funk. It is essential listening for anyone who thinks the 80s lost the soul of the previous decade.