Every time I hear someone lament that soul or funk is dead, I laugh. Blessed to be sent a lot of dope albums this year, one stand-out in this lively and danceable intersection, which pays homage to those soldiers who came before us, is Nigel Hall’s brilliant “Ladies & Gentlemen… Nigel Hall”. Reflecting expert band musicianship and retro respect for the craft that feels like smooth honey in your tea and as cozy as your favorite sweater on a cold day, Nigel assembled an all-star dope crew of Soulive and Lettuce brothers Ryan Zoidis, Adam Deitch, Eric Krasno , Ivan Neville and Questlove who guests on a key Isley Brothers cover.

I chatted with Nigel about his “Hit Repeat button many times” (which I’ve done since it dropped in November) album, WTF moments meeting his musical heroes George Duke and Stanley Clarke and the process working with Soulquarian Questlove and Eric Krasno, a Grammy award-winning producer who’s worked with Norah Jones and Justin Timberlake. Listen to the soundclips below and go get this album HERE!!