Spice’n’space: Funk Thing (UBU0145)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of The Funk Thing, the latest project from flutist/composer Mattan Klein, which will be available worldwide from 4th August 2023.

Spice’n’Space is an Israel-based jazz-funk band led by Mattan and drummer Uria Mader.

The band’s vision is about blending the old school 70s instrumental funk with some fresh and new aesthetics, delivering a perfect combination of the past with the present.

Mattan is a jazz/world music flutist and composer who has worked with some of Israel’s greatest artists such as Tom Oren (winner of the Thelonious Monk Institute Piano Competition), Gadi Stern (Shalosh), and Avri Borochov. Mattan has performed on the most prestigious worldwide stages such as Carnegie Hall (New York City) and the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC).

Uria is an up-and-coming Israeli drummer, extremely versatile and comfortable in both the jazz and rock genres and has performed on Israel’s greatest stages and festivals such as IndyNegev Festival (Israel’s biggest music festival) and Red Sea Guitar Festival.

Spice’n’Space will be headlining the Tel Aviv International Flute Festival, and the Klaipeda International Jazz Festival in Lithuania during June 2023. The band members had performed at the London Jazz Festival, The Red Sea Jazz Festival, Nisville Jazz Festival in Serbia, Albania International Jazz Festival and many more.

Mattan and Uria describe their latest project: “The Funk Thing’ presents a fresh new approach to funky jazz with a special focus on flute in the context of groove and funk. The new album fuses old-school grooves with hints of pop and reggae elements, all the while referring to vintage keyboard and drum sounds. The result brings a new and refreshing mix to listeners but watch out because your feet might force you to get up and dance!”

They continue, describing their relationship with Ubuntu Music: “This has been a cutting-edge platform for many diverse styles of music., It is a great privilege to be a part of this incredible Family, and to be able to present our musical creations to wider audiences. It’s rare to find such an open-minded and professionally dedicated group that puts the Arts as the primary objective. Only fantastic things can come out of such a collaboration. We are grateful and overjoyed.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Mattan and now Uria. These are wonderful, talented musicians who bring joy and energy to their music, which will make anyone with a heartbeat get up and enjoy.”