About Us

Members:

Emrys Baird - Guitar Vocals
David Bouet - Drums Vocals 
Al Gibson - Bass Keys Vocals
Ian Bailey- Sax Flute Perc Vocals


 2023  marks  the release of 'Blame It On The End Game', the vibrant new single from the fine purveyors of energetic soul and funk music.  Released by Burning Sole Records based in Basel Switzerland and according to  Jazz FM deejay, Tony Minvielle  it provides a hefty slice of lively Brit Funk blessedness. It's proving a success too  as ¾ of the  500 vinyl  pressing have sold in under a week! 

 

The band are one of London's longest running funk outfits, originally formed by Emrys Baird & Nitin Sawhney. The group were signed previously to P-Vine Records, Japan where they recorded ‘The Hustle Is On’ which sold 5000 copies. Their last  vinyl single ‘Yard Of Hard’  (featuring The JB's trombonist, Fred Wesley) was popular too and was championed by Craig Charles and Gilles Peterson from  BBC Radio 6, Robert Elms BBC Radio London, as well as Mike Chadwick of  Jazz FM plus Solar Radio & Delite Radio.

 

Hailing from South London, The Soul Immigrants have been quietly turning out vinyl 45’s for their own label Dry Rooti Records too. Their last exclusive Vinyl only album, released in 2021 on  Laterilize Records,  featured special guest and  Jamaican artist, Freddie Notes, who with his band The Rudies, recorded the global smash hit “Montego Bay” on Trojan records. 

 

Live you can expect some exciting funk filled, sassy grooves, heaps of audience participation and phenomenal soloing! If you like your horn horny,your bass like Bootsy and your guitar groovy, their shows should be just the ticket for you.

 

This band Is fierce! *Carleen Anderson*
The soul Immigrants are true soul brothers! *Charles Bradley*

It's good to see Sunk Without The Funk from The Soul Immigrants finally committed to vinyl. This will have longevity In many DJs record boxes *Snowboy*

You're in my Top Ten best singles for November! *DJ Dom Servini Wah Wah
Records*
There's a funk riot going on in South London leading the revolt are the Soul Immigrants and this band's realistic sounding Deep Funk must be shared! DJ Prestige 


A keyboard lovers paradise( and some great drumming featured as well) this reminds me of some Lonnie Smith at Club Mozambique fast and furious and on the brink of being out of control!  An unabashed horniness seems to resound round these guys! Fleamarketfunk.com 

'These boys have got their groove on.' Steve Cropper

SOME PRESS REVIEWS OF THE ALBUM :

 

*A potent gumbo stew of funk,soul and jazz with distinctive british swagger* Jazzworld.com

*Skilful musicianship and penchant for a catchy,funky melody redolent of Al Jarreau with flashy guitar work and the rawest of alto sax.the soul house.net

*Simply top-notch. Rich, soulful vocals and some fierce primal grooves give these guy the edge. I was spellbound by their performance...*- Blues & Soul Magazine.
*The Soul Immigrants know and respect soul’s wonderful heritage*
soulandjazzandfunk.com

 
The group has  opened for Japans's No1 super heavy funk band Osaka Monaurail @ 229 Club London recently as well as Fred Wesley &The New JB's.We have also opened for Steve Cropper from Booker T & The MG's.I got to hang out with him too, asking him about Hendrix,Al Green and of course Otis Redding!