Modernists

Modernists were formed in 1998 by Patrick and Robin Flynn to write and perform original music inspired by blaxploitation movie soundtracks, funk and soul.Early incarnations saw them independently release the EP 'Samuel Jackson' (2000, Sub Bass) which is now only available in the USA. The title track 'Samuel L Jackson is The Man' was appreciated by The Man himself during one of his stints in Sydney.Following the national release of their debut album Big Score (featuring Nick Brown on lead vocals) (2005, Modern Soul/MGM) the band’s Flynn brothers and percussionist Matt Jollo embarked on a musical odyssey through Brazil. On their return they re-established their partnership with well known Sydney vocalist Kachina Lewis (as heard on Ministry of Sound Chill Out Sessions 5 & 6) and the latest incarnation of the Modernists was born.Modernists featuring Kachina develops a new sound for the band, combining their blaxploitation roots with acid jazz and funk and mixing in the rhythms of Brazil. Their live shows are a dynamic affair incorporating the soulful presence of Kachina as well as the energy of massed percussion. This fusion of acid jazz, funk, samba-school style percussion and club grooves throw up some unique, original sounds. As some Brasileiro-Australians have described them, the music is occasionally 'Samba-Kanguru'!The band are currently finishing off 3 tracks with Kachina: 'Summer Jive', 'Latina' & 'Minha Carioca Favrita'.From 2007 onwards, the band will be adopting what they call 'The Incognito Model' (based on their favourite outfit's approach to music) whereby they continue to write and perform with a range of 'featured vocalists). Also on the drawing board is a return to Brazil for a promotional tour, recording some new bossanova influenced tracks in Portuguese, and of course more gigging up and down the east coast of Australia.