Ernie and The Family McKone

To discuss the evolution of London’s “Street Soul” and jazz-funk scenes without mentioning Ernie McKone would be to miss a vital chapter of UK music history. A founding member of the acid-jazz pioneers Galliano and a long-time bassist for Incognito, McKone has provided the rhythmic backbone for a “who’s who” of soul royalty, including Sister Sledge, Martha Reeves, and Candi Staton.

With his collective Ernie & The Family McKone, he has moved into the role of architect and producer. Working out of his own Boogie Back Records studio, McKone curates a sound that is unapologetically analog and “pocket-first.” The “Family” refers to a tight-knit circle of elite collaborators, frequently featuring the soulful vocals of Laura Jackson and Ernie’s sister, Vivienne McKone. Their recordings, such as the widely acclaimed cover of Brenda Russell’s “In The Thick Of It,” are celebrated for their warmth and authenticity, consistently topping the UK soul charts and proving that the demand for real, live-played soul music is as strong as ever.